A 54-year-old Eastern Cape father is to appear in court for allegedly raping his 4-year-old daughter.

The man was arrested on Gwatyu farm, near Cofimvaba, on Sunday and he faces a charge of rape.

According to information at the police's disposal, the child's mother woke up early and worked in her garden, leaving the child in bed with her father, police spokesperson Captain Namhla Mdleleni said.

"When she came back, she wanted to wash her daughter, but [the daughter] refused. Upon questioning further, she was told by the little girl what happened," Mdleleni added.

The father is expected to appear in the Cofimvaba Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Do you want to know more about this topic? Sign up for one of News24's 33 newsletters to receive the information you want in your inbox. Special newsletters are available to subscribers.