A teenager allegedly raped an 11-year-old girl and then gave her R1 to not report him to the police in Nkolokotho in northern KwaZulu-Natal, police said on Tuesday.

"The girl was coming from school when the 17-year-old boy came out of the bush and picked the girl up and allegedly raped her," said Captain Jabulani Mdletshe.

"When he finished raping her, he gave her R1 for her not to report him."

Mdletshe said the alleged rape happened on Friday but was only reported to police on Monday. The boy was then arrested.

"The boy is due to appear at the KwaMsane Magistrate's Court today [Tuesday]," said Mdletshe.