NAMAKGALE: The Police in Namakgale outside Phalaborwa in collaboration with the Community Police Forum (CPF), swiftly apprehended two suspects aged 20 and 29 out of the four in connection with the alleged carjacking and rape incidents that took place during 2020 in the Namakgale and Phalaborwa policing areas.
The suspects, who are believed to be part of a group that has been terrorising members of the community in these areas for some time, were arrested after CPF members tipped the police about their whereabouts at Seloane village.
According to the police, it is alleged that on 05 December 2020, a 43-year-old man and his partner aged 31 were travelling with a bakkie to Seloane village and gave four unknown men a lift, one occupied the front seat.
They then drove along the R 71 road near Seloane Cross when suddenly, the suspect pointed the driver with a firearm and instructed him to drive into the bushes. They robbed the victim’s cellphones, a cash amount of money, and also demanded car keys.
In the process, the driver was assaulted and tied up with cables on both hands. The suspects tried to drive the vehicle but failed apparently because of mechanical problems.
Subsequently, all the four suspects took turns in raping the woman and thereafter fled the scene on foot. The victims managed to get to the police station and reported the incident.
The duo will appear before the Namakgale magistrate court soon and they may still be linked to other similar cases in and around the area or throughout the Mopani District while the manhunt for the other two remaining suspects is still underway.
Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of these suspects, may contact Detective Sergeant Golden Motetia Shai on 082 465 2996 or the Crime Stop number 0860010111or the nearest Police station, or MySAPSApp.
The Police investigations are still underway.
