Couple carjacked, woman raped: Two men remanded in custody
The couple were attacked on R71 after they gave a lift to the two accused.
LIMPOPO – The two accused, Gentle Ndlovu (20) and Oscar Malandule (29) reappeared in the Namakgale Magistrate Court on Wednesday, 3 March and were remanded in custody for further investigation, says Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe.
The men face charges of carjacking and rape following an incident in the Namakgale and Phalaborwa policing areas in December last year.
An earlier police report indicated that the duo are believed to be part of a group of four men, who robbed a couple along the R71 near Seloane Cross on 5 December 2020. The 43-year-old man and his partner (31) were travelling in a bakkie to Seloane village and gave four unknown men a lift. “One of the men occupied the front seat. They then drove along the R71 near Seloane Cross, when suddenly, the man who occupied the front seat, pointed a firearm at the driver and instructed him to drive into the bushes.
During the incident they robbed the victims of their cellphones, cash and also demanded the car keys. The men tried to flee in the vehicle, but failed, apparently because of mechanical problems. They then assaulted the driver and tied his hands while they took turns in raping the woman before they left the scene.
The victims managed to get to the police station and reported the incident.
A manhunt for the suspects was launched and two of the accused were arrested in January after the Community Policing Forum (CPF) in the area received a tip-off about their whereabouts.
A search for the remaining two suspects still continues and the police urges anyone with information that can lead to their arrest, to contact Det Sgt Golden Motetia Shai at 082 465 2996. Alternatively they can contact the 24-hour Crime Stop number at 086 001 0111, the nearest police station or via the MySAPSApp.
The accused are expected to reappear in the same court on 10 March. They may still be linked to other similar cases in and around the area or throughout the Mopani District.
