DZANANI VILLAGE – The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has issued a stern warning to perpetrators of Gender-based Violence and has instructed the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses Investigating team to be relentless in tracing all those involved in the alleged kidnapping and rape of a 15-year-old girl at Mphephu in Vhembe district on Friday morning, 20 October 2023.
The Limpopo SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba says so far one suspect has so far been arrested in connection with the incident and the team is working around the clock to apprehend the remaining two suspects.
Preliminary investigation indicates that the victim was on her way to school at Tshituni Tshafhas village when a red sedan motor vehicle with three occupants suddenly stopped next to her and one of the occupants, alighted from the vehicle and hit her with a crutch walking stick where she lost consciousness.
The suspects then dragged the victim into the vehicle and drove with her to a house in Dzanani Village, thus taking turns in raping her. The victim had to endure the horrendous ordeal the entire weekend until she regained some strength on Sunday afternoon 22 October, after realising that she was left only with the suspect who uses crutches, upon realising that she then escaped from the house. The victim was assisted by the community who called the Police and Emergency Medical Services. Due to the Police’ swift response, the suspect was apprehended at the above-mentioned house.
The police have since opened three counts of rape and kidnapping.The case has been transferred to the Makhado FCS Unit for further investigation.
“The SAPS is taking a strong stance against gender-based violence. We call upon the community to work with us to put a stop to violence against women, children and all vulnerable groups in our respective spaces. The fight against gender-based violence has reached critical point”, said Lieutenant General Hadebe.
The 24-year-old suspect is expected to appear before Dzanani Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 24 October 2023.
Members of the community can provide information relating to the incident by contacting the Investigating Officer Sergeant Sinyosi Tshimangadzo on 074 646 8390 or at 015 519 4300 or Crime Stop hotline number 08600 10111.
