LIMPOPO police have launched a manhunt for suspects who raped a 29-year-old woman and a six-year-old girl in separate incidents.
Provincial police spokesman Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the incidents happened in the Lulekani and Hoedspruit policing areas.
“According to the information received, a woman (29) was with her male friend she met in the local tavern at Biko location under Lulekani policing area on Friday, 5 April at about 10.45pm.
"Apparently, she asked him to accompany her to the bathroom outside. It appears they went to the nearby bushes and while there, two unknown guys armed with a firearm and knife threatened them. They pushed them deep into the bushes, where they found two other men who were also armed," said Ledwaba.
He said the two suspects left with the woman in one direction, while the other two went with the male victim in another direction.
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"After some time, she heard gunshots and the two suspects returned. All four suspects gang raped her. Thereafter, they left her there and fled the scene. She managed to go to the main road and asked for help from motorists. She was helped and taken to the local police station, where she opened a case of rape,” he said.
The second incident involved a six-year-old girl who was allegedly raped at school.
“Meanwhile in Hoedspruit, an unknown suspect allegedly raped a six-year-old girl while she was in school on Friday, 5 April. Her mother became aware of the ordeal after she took off her school uniform as well as her underwear which had bloodstains. She asked her child what happened and that's when the minor informed her that another pupil raped her," said Ledwaba.
He said the mother took the girl to the local clinic and a case was opened.
Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe has ordered the team of investigators at Phalaborwa FCS to track down the suspects responsible for these horrendous crimes.
