Alleged rapist arrested after taking victims to clinic

A seemingly “sympathetic” robber and rapist got himself arrested after taking his victims to a local clinic to be treated for the injuries sustained in the ordeal.

The incident, which happened last Friday near Luvhone village, still has the tongues wagging. Everything started at a popular tavern in Tshakhuma where the suspect was drinking in the early morning hours. Here he met four young women, two of them minors. 

Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said that, according to the information they had received, the girls requested a lift from the man to another tavern at Luvhone village. The suspect told them he was also going to the same place and even offered them a lift back home to Lwamondo village.

According to Ledwaba, the women allegedly enjoyed drinks with the suspect, and they then left with him as agreed.  Along the way, he turned onto a secluded road and demanded cash from the victims. The women reportedly gave him the money they had, but he demanded more.

According to Ledwaba, the man became aggressive and threatened to shoot the women. At that point, one of the victims screamed for help, and the suspect hit her with a beer bottle, and she lost consciousness. The suspect then allegedly raped three women aged 16, 17 and 19. “The assaulted victim was still unconscious when the other victims begged him to take her to the clinic [and] he obliged. Upon arrival at the clinic, the victims notified the nurses about the ordeal, and they immediately summoned the police. The suspect was swiftly arrested at the clinic,” Ledwaba said.

Ledwaba added that the injured victim is recuperating in the hospital. The rape cases have been transferred to the SAPS in Thohoyandou’s Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offenses Unit for further investigations.

The suspect is currently in police custody and is expected to appear in the Vuwani Magistrate’s Court.

Reacting to the incident, Munna Ndi Nnyi Men’s Forum chairperson Bardwell Mufunwaini expressed his shock. “What is it that is happening in our district, where crime is committed freely without fear?  Just imagine a man raping three girls at a go.  This is disgusting and not what is expected of a real man. We should be protectors of our women folk,” he said.

Mufunwaini also blamed parents for not taking care of their children. “Look at their ages and the time they were allegedly raped. They should have been home sleeping, but they were out drinking and mingling with unknown people. This is not the way things should be done. Parents should teach morals to these children,” he said.

Date:21 March 2024

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

Read: 1622