A 16-year-old boy was arrested in Mapetla on Monday for attempting to rape his cousin, Soweto police said.

Inspector Kay Makhubela said the boy was arrested at around 5pm after he attempted to rape his 12-year-old cousin at his aunt's house in Jabulani.

"The four cousins who were sleeping together witnessed the boy undressing one of the girls among them. When they screamed he ran away to his grandmother's house," said Makhubela.

The boy is facing a charge of attempted rape.

In another incident, three men were arrested at a house in Zola after they were found stripping a stolen car.

They were spotted around 3pm stripping a stolen Nissan bakkie by police who were patrolling the area, Makhubela said.

"The officers were suspicious of the men when they stopped and checked the car. They discovered that it was stolen in Sophiatown earlier this month."

The men, aged between 24 and 47, face a charge of possession of stolen vehicle.

Earlier around 2pm on Monday a 17-year-old boy was arrested in Naledi after he was found carrying a gun.

He was arrested by patrolling police who were doing a routine search, said Makhubela.

"The officers searched him because he looked suspicious. They found him in possession of a 9mm pistol," he said.

The boy is facing a charge of possession of unlicensed firearm.

All those arrested are expected to appear before the Protea Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.

Sapa