POLOKWANE — Police in Limpopo have opened three separate rape investigations and launched an urgent manhunt after three minors were allegedly abducted, assaulted and left beside a filling station near Khujwana Village.
How the incident unfolded
According to a police statement reported by local media, the victims — three sisters aged between 14 and 17 and residents of Lephepane Village — were approached by two men on Saturday at about 23:00. The suspects were reportedly travelling in a red Toyota Corolla with an unknown registration number and offered the girls a lift to a tavern to buy food.
The vehicle is alleged to have been driven to a secluded bush area in Khujwana, where preliminary investigations say the trio were forcefully undressed and raped by both men. The suspects then drove the victims to the road next to a filling station, where they were left. The three were later found at the garage by the filling-station attendant, who alerted their mother in the early hours of Sunday, 9 August, at about 03:45.
Police response and investigation
The provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, confirmed that investigations into three rape cases have been opened and that the suspects remain at large. Limpopo Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Jan Scheepers condemned the offence and said the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit had mobilised resources to trace and arrest the perpetrators, according to reporting.
“Gender-based violence has no place in our society. Our Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit has activated all resources to trace and arrest the perpetrators,” Scheepers said.
Police have appealed to the public to assist with any information that might help locate the men. Investigating officer Lieutenant-Colonel Isaac Mahlane can be contacted on 082 469 2625. Members of the public may also call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile application, or visit their nearest police station.
Local impact and community concern
The attack has heightened fear in surrounding communities, where families say they are worried about children travelling alone along rural roads at night. Lephepane and Khujwana are part of a broader rural area where limited street lighting and long distances between villages increase vulnerability, according to community members contacted in recent reports.
Local leaders and service providers often stress that early reporting of suspicious behaviour and rapid police response are crucial in preventing and solving such crimes. Police statements have urged witnesses or anyone with dashcam or cellphone footage to share it with investigators.
Practical safety reminders
While the investigation continues, law-enforcement and civil-society groups recommend the following precautions for parents and guardians in rural areas:
- Do not allow minors to accept lifts from strangers or unverified drivers, especially at night.
- Establish safe travel plans and regular check-ins for children travelling between villages.
- Report any suspicious vehicles or persons to local policing forums and the SAPS immediately.
- Keep emergency numbers readily available and teach children how to contact police or a trusted adult.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victims | Three sisters, aged 14–17 (residents of Lephepane Village) |
| Alleged suspects | Two unknown males in a red Toyota Corolla (registration unknown) |
| Location found | Roadside next to a filling station, Khujwana Village |
| Contact for tips | Lt-Col Isaac Mahlane 082 469 2625; Crime Stop 08600 10111; MySAPS app |
Support for survivors
Survivors of sexual assault in Limpopo can access medical care, counselling and forensic services at public hospitals and specialised SASSA-funded support centres. Police cases involving children are handled by FCS units, which coordinate medical examinations and social-work referrals. Parents seeking guidance can contact their nearest clinic or the SAPS for directions to the appropriate services.
The matter remains under investigation. Police have asked anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of the two men, or who may have seen a red Toyota Corolla in the area on Saturday night, to come forward.
— Mpho Netshimbupfe, Limpopo Correspondent (Polokwane)
