| 2025/03/13 |
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Media Statement
POLOKWANE – Two male suspects aged 18 and 24 are expected to appear in Kgapane Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 14 March 2025, for possession of suspected stolen property, four counts of rape, and business robbery committed at a student campus in one of the Colleges at Phaphadi Village in Bolobedu policing area. The alleged incident occurred on Saturday, 22 February 2025, at about 23:00. The suspects were arrested following a joint operation executed by Mopani Tracking Team and Tzaneen Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) . Reportedly, on Saturday, 22 February 2025, an unknown African male intruded into the residential area (compound) of a group of female students from one of the colleges in Phaphadi Village. He grabbed eight of them at gunpoint, led four of them into a passage and ultimately raped them. Afterward, he robbed them of their cellphones before fleeing the scene on foot. The victims reported the matter to the police for further investigations. On Tuesday, 11 March 2025, the members located one male suspect at Bellview village and found him in possession of a robbed cellphone. He was unable to provide satisfactory explanation for the possession of the cellphone and was arrested on the spot. Further information led members to another address where the second African male was discovered, and upon searching his house, multiple cellphones and a bank card belonging to one of the victims were found hidden under the bed. The suspect was also arrested for possession of suspected stolen property, and both were detained at Bolobedu police station. Cellphones belonging to the victims were positively identified. The police are urging the community around Bolobedu policing area who have lost or robbed their cellphones to come forward to identify them or to contact the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Dalton Makhubela, at 082 414 6043, 082 414 2953, or Bolobedu police station. The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has applauded the investigating team for their sterling job in ensuring that perpetrators of sexual violence are brought to book to face the full might of law. Police investigations are ongoing. Ends
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