POLOKWANE – The police in Westenburg have launched a manhunt for the men who hijacked a motor vehicle with a 35-year-old woman inside on Friday (October 22) night.

The incident happened along the Percy Fyfe road and police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo said the men raped the woman at Ga-Chuene Leshikishiki, in the Lebowakgomo policing area.

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“The woman was reportedly in the company of her cousin, travelling to a funeral at Mashashane when their motor vehicle began to overheat. The driver then stopped at the Matlala/Mashashane intersection to examine the problem,” Mojapelo’s statement reads.

He said three men, who were travelling in a red Toyota Tazz, approached and offered their assistance.

“They managed to jump start the vehicle, before one of the men pointed a firearm at the cousin. They got into the vehicle that was jump started and drove off with the woman inside,” Mojapelo added.

Her cousin was left at the scene and the other suspects fled the scene in their vehicle.

“One of the men allegedly raped the woman at Ga-Chuene after the hijacked vehicle again experienced a breakdown along the Bergenek/Thogoaneng dirt road. His accomplices later arrived and also raped the woman. She was found by officials from a vehicle tracking company and was taken to hospital. The incident was reported to the police and a manhunt has already begun,” Mojapelo said.

Provincial police commissioner Thembi Hadebe called on residents to assist the police in tracking down the suspects and bringing them to book.

“Anyone with information is requested to contact Capt Martin Thema on 082 451 7155, the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or their nearest police,” concluded Mojapelo.