This, as the Klerksdorp Cluster Trio Task Team arrested the second suspect on Tuesday, 26 February 2019, for house robbery, rape, and kidnapping of the 58-year-old woman in that area. Police spokesperson, Aafje Botma, tells OFM News that the suspect, aged 34, was arrested in Ermelo in Mpumalanga. She says the police recovered a firearm and necklace that were taken during the robbery.

Botma says the first suspect is expected to appear in the Makwassie Magistrate’s Court on 1 and 5 March 2019 on the same charges with the possibility of linking them to other crimes.

She says it is alleged that the accused forcefully gained entrance into the house where they found the woman and allegedly overpowered her, assaulted her with an iron pipe and raped her. She adds that the accused then tied her hands, feet, and mouth and drove away with her in her Toyota Corolla.

“According to information available at this stage, the accused were forced to stop after one of the vehicle's front tyres burst on the farm road. They then fled on foot with stolen goods,” she added. “The victim managed to stop the neighbours, who were passing by and assisted her.” Meanwhile, the Provincial Commissioner, Baile Motswenyane, has commended the team for their dedication and swift reaction that led to the arrests. She said the police will continue with their commitment to reducing the levels of serious crimes including at rural areas.

OFM News