POLOKWANE – The Seshego police have launched a manhunt for six male suspects who, last Friday (February 24), robbed two women and raped one of them.

The men then attacked a group of people who stopped to rescue the victims by hacking one of them to death and seriously injuring another in Madiba Park outside Polokwane.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the two women (aged 25 and 30) were walking home from the ATM at a filling station at about 20:45 when they met the unknown men.

“The suspects robbed them of cellphones, money and a jersey. One of the suspects grabbed the younger victim and pulled her into the nearby bushes and raped her,” his statement read.

The rape victim managed to free herself and called for help.

“A vehicle with five occupants stopped next to her and she was explaining what had happened when the same suspects accosted them. They brutally hacked one of the men with a sharp object and he died at the scene. Another occupant was stabbed and seriously injured,” Mojapelo said.

The police were alerted and on arrival found the deceased with gapping wounds while the injured victim was taken to hospital.

The murdered victim was identified as Sydney Maphela of Monyoaneng village in Moletjie

The provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has ordered that the suspects be hunted down and brought to book.

The suspects were reportedly speaking a foreign language and are believed to be Zimbabwean nationals.

The police are appealing to anyone with information to contact the nearest police station, the crime stop number 08600 10111 or use the MySAPSApp.

“Cases of murder, attempted murder, rape and robbery were opened and investigations continue,” Mojapelo said.