Man arrested for partner's murder and rape of step daughter
A 33-year-old man was recently arrested by Bandelierkop police for the murder of his 36-year-old partner and the rape of her 16-year-old daughter.
The shocking crimes have left the Vhembe District community reeling.
The suspect now faces charges of murder and rape following a swift police investigation.
He remains in custody and will appear in court soon.
The night of terror
The horrific crimes began in the early hours of Sunday, 10 August 2025.
At approximately 2am, the suspect allegedly woke the teenage girl.
According to police reports, he told her they needed to search for her mother at local taverns in Mundzedzi village.
Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the woman had last been seen the previous day.
'The woman, 36, was last seen on Saturday, 09 August 2025, at a local tavern,' Ledwaba confirmed.
The search for the missing mother proved unsuccessful.
'After failing to locate the mother, the suspect led the minor toward Vleifontein bushes next to the local cemetery where he allegedly raped her,' Ledwaba explained.
He added that the suspect gave the traumatised teenager instructions to return home alone.
ALSO READ: Body parts found in buckets: Police crack muti murder case with third arrest
Brave survivor reports crime
The teenage victim then showed courage when she immediately reported the rape to a community member upon returning home.
The community member contacted the police and a case of rape was opened.
Police launched a manhunt for the suspect, which resulted in his swift arrest.
Murder discovery
According to Ledwaba, the investigation took a darker turn during questioning on Monday, 11 August 2025.
Investigators discovered that the suspect had murdered the missing woman.
He had disposed of her body in a pit toilet at a local school.
'The body was retrieved with assistance from relevant stakeholders, and the suspect now faces an additional charge of murder,' Ledwaba said.
ALSO READ: Police officer shoots and kills wife, community sets him alight
'Depths of depravity'
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe expressed her outrage at the crimes.
She noted the particularly disturbing timing during Women's Month.
'This act of horrible crime represents the worst of gender-based violence, a man who was supposed to protect this family instead became their worst nightmare,' Hadebe said.
'That he would murder a woman and then rape her teenage daughter shows the depths of depravity we are fighting against.'
The suspect remains in police custody. He will face charges of rape and murder when he appears before the court.
'Police investigations into the case continue,' said Ledwaba.
READ NEXT: Tshwane serial killer fears persist as police confirm suspect yet to be arrested
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Police arrest man after body of Free State woman found in her home
A swift collaboration between community members, the media, and the police has led to the arrest of a man who was earlier circulated as a person of interest in a murder investigation. The arrest was made after the body of a 40-year-old woman was discovered in her home on Monday. According to police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Thabo Covane, police were called to a crime scene after neighbours discovered Cony Dipuo Saohatse's body in her bedroom. 'The police were called to a crime scene discovered by neighbours who were worried after they hadn't seen the victim at her home for a while,' said Covane. Bloemfontein Courant reports a 34-year-old man was seen leaving her home in her blue Hyundai Getz. Police also noted that several electrical appliances were missing from the residence. The man, now officially a suspect in a domestic violence-related murder, theft of a motor vehicle, and general theft, was arrested in Botshabelo's G-Section at about 12:25 yesterday. During the arrest, officers recovered a TV, an LCD flat screen, a microwave oven, and a remote control belonging to the victim. Condemnation of gender-based violence Mangaung Metro district commissioner Major-General Arthur Peter Adams issued a strong statement condemning gender-based violence, particularly during Women's Month. 'The barbaric and cold-blooded murderous tendencies of men towards women can and will never be condoned. The levels of male chauvinism and cowardly entitlement that, more often than not, lead to inflicting serious injuries or death to defenceless females,' said Adams. He further condemned the alleged actions of the suspect. 'The appalling arrogance of the perpetrator to kill and thereafter steal from his victim points to the deep-rooted societal cancer in relation to gender-based violence. The SAPS, in collaboration with the wider criminal justice system role-players, will ensure that the perpetrator pays for his callous deeds.' The man is expected to make his first appearance in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court tomorrow. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- The Citizen
Limpopo reels from GBVF and ritual murder surge
More than 10 horrific GBVF murders in just 10 days have rocked Limpopo, with authorities now fearing a link to ritual killings. A surge in gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and, possibly, ritual murder cases in the Vhembe region and Limpopo at large has prompted premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba to convene an urgent special extended executive council meeting in Polokwane. The meeting was called to discuss plans to turn the situation around. Ramathuba said the increase started at the beginning of August, which is Women's Month. President Cyril Ramaphosa issued a stern warning against perpetrators of GBVF during a Women's Day event at Nkowankowa Stadium, outside Tzaneen, at the weekend. Ramathuba expressed devastation and anger at these gruesome crimes and said action must be taken as a matter of urgency. Disturbing murder statistics emerge Recently, the South African Police Service (Saps) in Limpopo reported that more than 10 horrific GBVF murder cases have taken place in the province in just in 10 days. 'There is something wrong in our province, especially in the Vhembe district. Such horrific murders cannot be [normal],' Ramathuba said. 'We have lost our moral compass and substantial intervention is needed to halt this alarming trend.' Ritual murder fears in Vhembe The premier said it was of concern that some of these cases seemed to be linked to ritual murders. ALSO READ: GBV: Are we losing this war? Among the recent incidents was the murder of a woman, who was aged 34, and her two-year-old daughter in Vhembe police district. They were reported missing on 19 May. A 55-year-old male suspect from Makuleke village was arrested. Suspects linked to horrific case Police investigations then led to the homestead of a 38-year-old traditional healer in Muraga village. The two will appear before the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on Monday, facing a charge of murder. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, said the traditional healer was allegedly found in possession of the missing heads of the two victims. A charge of possession of human tissue will be added against the 38-year-old male suspect,' she said. Multiple arrests and ongoing investigations In addition, another two male suspects, Tshilidzi Phalandwa, 43, from Malavuwe village, and Balangani Sedzani Tshivhombedze, 32, from Ha-Lambani Masetoni village, were linked through investigations to the murders of the mother and child. They were arrested and appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on 1 August. The two men were remanded in custody and the matter was postponed for further investigations to yesterday. NOW READ: SA's GBV terror: Many didn't celebrate Women's Day, but survived it
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Honouring women: 1st Naruna and Constantia Scouts lead tribute for equality
Parkscape together with the 1st Naruna and Constantia Scout troop commemorated Women's Day with this beautiful gesture Parkscape, representatives of the Tokai Forestry Village, and members of the 1st Naruna and Constantia Scout Troop gathered with their leaders to celebrate and honour women. The event, held against the backdrop of Women's Month, carried a strong symbolic element: colourful ribbons were tied to the outskirts fencing of the forest, echoing a similar tribute nearly a decade ago when women and children commemorated the life of 16-year-old Franziska Blöchliger, who was murdered there. The gathering was more than a symbolic gesture. It served as a powerful reminder of the ongoing global struggle for women's rights and gender equality, with the names of loved ones, and messages written on colourful rocks. Women and girls represent half of the world's population and therefore half of its potential, yet, every day women face violence, discrimination and misogyny. They are too often denied the right to contribute fully to society and to improve their communities. Speakers highlighted the persistent inequalities that remain entrenched worldwide, from unequal pay and limited access to education and career opportunities, to barriers in political participation and control over their own bodies.
