By Staff Reporter
THOHOYANDOU- University ostudent forced to watch as armed men gang-raped his girlfriend.
The horrifying incident is one of several reported in the Vhembe region over the weekend, where, according to the police, nine rape cases were registered.
The attack that shocked the Thohoyandou community took place near the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday, at around 19:15.
The area is known as a notorious hideout for armed criminals who target unsuspecting couples parked there. Many victims reportedly choose not to open cases to avoid exposing their identities.
On that evening, the couple — a 20-year-old University student and her 28-year-old boyfriend — were sitting in a parked car when three armed men confronted them.
Vhembe SAPS spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi confirmed the incident. He said the couple were in their car when three men pounced on them. “The men held them at gunpoint and took turns raping the student. The boyfriend was also forced to watch the whole ordeal. Afterward, the thugs made their getaway in the victim’s car,” he said.
Dathi said a manhunt had been launched to track down the suspects. He warned residents, especially young couples, not to venture into secluded bushy areas where they become easy targets for criminals. He urged them instead to visit established tourism facilities, where access is controlled and safety measures are in place.
