Two men, aged 18 and 24, were arrested following a joint operation by the Mopani Tracking Team and Tzaneen Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba says that on February 22, an unknown male broke into a girls’ campus in Bolobedu, Limpopo. He held eight girls at gunpoint and raped four of them before fleeing with their cellphones.

According to an article published by Letaba Herald, the victims reported the incident to the police, who tracked down a suspect in Bellview village on Tuesday.

“He was found in possession of a mobile phone, suspected to be stolen, and could not provide a satisfactory explanation,” says Mashaba. “He was arrested on the spot.”

Further investigation led police to a second suspect’s residence, where multiple cellphones and a bank card belonging to one of the victims were found hidden under a bed. He was arrested for possession of suspected stolen property.

Both men are being held at the Bolobedu Police Station, where the cellphones were positively identified as belonging to the victims.

The suspects are due to appear at Kgapane Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, facing charges of possession of suspected stolen property, four counts of rape and business robbery.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe commended the investigating team for ‘ensuring that perpetrators of sexual violence are brought to book and face the full might of the law’.

Police investigations are ongoing and community members who have lost or had their cellphones stolen are encouraged to come forward. They can contact Detective Sergeant Dalton Makhubela at 082 414 6043/2953 or visit the Bolobedu Police Station.

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