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Media Statement POLOKWANE – The collaborative efforts of the SAPS Mopani District Tracking Team and Hoedspruit detectives led to the arrest of a 27-year-old male for possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle and property on Saturday, 20 July 2024, in the Hoedspruit policing area. The arrest follows a missing person report filed by the family of the victim, who failed to report to his new work post at a mine in Burgersfort, Sekhukhune District, on 11 June 2024. Upon conducting inquiries with the victim’s friend and former colleague at a mine in Phalaborwa, where the victim resided, the police found the suspect in possession of the victim’s personal effects, including a motor vehicle, wallet containing bank cards, and a cellphone. Notably, bloodstains were found in the vehicle’s boot. Further investigations led the suspect to disclose the location of the victim’s lifeless body in the bushes at Madadi Tshugulu village, Orighstad policing area. The victim, identified as Lucas Leshata Marape, aged 31, had sustained fatal stab wounds. Emergency medical services personnel pronounced him deceased at the scene. The suspect has been arrested on charges of possession of an alleged stolen motor vehicle and property. A post-mortem examination will be conducted to ascertain the cause of the victim’s death. Cases of murder have been opened at Namakgale Police Station and possession of suspected stolen property and motor vehicle at Hoedspruit Police Station. The suspect is scheduled to appear before the Hoedspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 22 July 2024. Investigations by the police are ongoing. Ends
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