THOHOYANDOU POLICE INVESTIGATE A KIDNAPPING AND RAPE INCIDENT INVOLVING A 31 YEAR-OLD MENTALLY CHALLENGED FEMALE VICTIM
POLOKWANE: The police in Thohoyandou under Vhembe District are investigating a kidnapping and rape case involving a 31 year-old mentally challenged female victim at Shayandima location on Saturday 24 January 2026.
A 56 year-old mother of the victim allegedly left her daughter at home and went to purchase food at a local supermarket.
When the mother returned, she discovered that her daughter was nowhere to be found at home and started searching for her until she went to the police station to open a missing person file.
On Monday, 26 January 2026, the mother of the victim was informed by a relative that her daughter had been found and she was at Tshilidzini hospital.
She rushed to the medical facility and found her missing daughter who told her that she left home because she didn’t want to take medication, and she went to Thavhani mall.
The victim met an unknown male suspect who took her to an unknown house at Shayandima location and forced her to have sexual intercourse with him inside the house on their arrival.
The suspect kept the victim from Saturday evening at about 22:00 until she was released on Monday 26 January 2026 and ended up at Tshilidzini hospital. Due to her condition, the victim is unable to identify the exact house that she was kept during the rape incident.
A manhunt for the suspect is ongoing, and anyone with information that can assist should contact the Investigating Officer Sergeant Lufuno Matsembe on 082 061 6600 , crime stop number 08600 10111 or nearest police station or MySAPSApp
Police investigations are continuing.
