Kidnapping, rape and murder accused arrested

Phokeng – A 40-year old man, who was arrested on Wednesday 1 January, is being accused of kidnapping, raping and murdering a 15-year old girl.

The suspect was seen leaving a local tavern in Chaneng village outside Phokeng in the company of the victim and her 18-year old friend on 24 December 2019. 

According to police spokesperson brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, the suspect lured the two victims to his residence where he raped them. 

While a case of rape was opened for investigation after a report was made to the police, the suspect managed to evade arrest until he met the 15-year old victim at the same tavern on 31 December 2019. After leaving the tavern, they were both seen entering the nearby bushes after midnight. 
A few days after the girl failed to show up at home, her parents decided to open a case of kidnapping.

The suspect was eventually arrested by the police after they followed up on information supplied by members of the community. 

The suspect appeared in the Bafokeng Magistrates’ Court on two separate cases of rape on Friday 3 January. 

“Further investigation into the matter led to the discovery of the 15-year old victim’s decomposed body in the bushes at about 11:00 on 5 January at Chaneng village,” said Mokgwabone. 

The suspect made a second appearance at the same court on Tuesday 7 January regarding the murder and kidnapping charges. The matter was postponed to Monday 2 March. 

During the court appearances, it was confirmed that the suspect has two additional rape cases pending against him.

The provincial commissioner of North West, lieutenant general Sello Kwena, condemned the incident in the strongest possible terms and said the police will have no mercy in dealing with those who commit gender-based violence. 

He expressed his gratitude to members of the community for coming forward with information that led to the arrest of the suspect. Furthermore, the provincial commissioner urged the public to collaborate with the police in protecting women and children as well as to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book as it happened in this incident. 

The North West community safety and transport management member of executive council (MEC) Sello Lehari is disheartened by another brutal murder of a young woman. 

“As a nation we must really do all we can to end gender-based violence in all its forms. And we can if we are determined enough. The law must take its course and the harshest punishment must be meted to the murderer of that young woman. We cannot continue to say the same things all the time and yet heinous crimes against women doesn’t subside,” said a concerned Lehari. 

Lehari lauded the investigating police officers for their tenacity and stellar work in not only finding the body of the missing girl but for also arresting the suspect. 

He also appealed to the community to help end all kinds of criminality by reporting it to the law enforcement officers.