TZANEEN – The Tzaneen Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit has intensified a manhunt for a male suspect linked to the sexual assault of an 18-year-old woman at Mokomotji village in the Maake policing area.

The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon (December 27), when the victim’s 40-year-old mother received a call from a neighbour who reported seeing a man, known to the victim, walking with her towards a passage at a two-roomed house. The victim is reported to be living with a disability.

The neighbour became suspicious and went to the house to check on the situation. She knocked on the door, and the victim came out, but due to her use of sign language, she was unable to communicate what had happened.

Shortly afterwards, the suspect emerged from the house and fled the scene on foot.

The victim was later taken by her mother to her teacher, where she managed to explain that she had been raped; medical personnel at a local hospital later confirmed it.

The matter was immediately reported to the police and subsequently transferred to the Tzaneen FCS Unit for further investigation.

Police are appealing to anyone with information that may assist in the arrest of the suspect to contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Klaas Mulungwa, on 069 590 1103. Alternatively, information can be shared via Crime Stop on 08600 10111, through the MySAPS App, or at the nearest police station.

The suspect cannot be named at this stage as he is related to the victim. Investigations are ongoing.