LIMPOPO – The Bandelierkop police, outside Louis Trichardt, have arrested a 33-year-old man in connection with the murder of his partner and the rape of her 16-year-old daughter.

The Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said the incident, which has shocked the community, began on Sunday (August 10) when the suspect allegedly woke the teenager and claimed they needed to look for her mother at local taverns in Mundzedzi village.

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The woman (36) was last seen on Saturday (August 9) at a local tavern.

“After failing to locate the mother, the suspect led the minor toward bushes next to the Vleifontein cemetery, where he allegedly raped her. The suspect then instructed the teenager to return home. The brave victim immediately reported the rape to a community member, who then contacted the police. A case of rape was opened, and a manhunt was launched, leading to the suspect’s arrest,” his statement read.

During questioning yesterday (August 11), investigators discovered that the suspect had murdered the missing woman and disposed of her body in a pit toilet at a local school.

“The body was retrieved with the assistance of relevant stakeholders and the suspect now faces an additional charge of murder,” Ledwaba confirmed.

The provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe expressed outrage at the incident, particularly during Women’s Month.

“This crime represents the worst of gender-based violence: A man who was supposed to protect this family instead became their worst nightmare. That he would murder a woman and then rape her teenage daughter shows the depths of depravity we are fighting against,” she said.

Hadebe commended the bravery of the teenage survivor in reporting the crime and the swift police response.

Ledwaba said the suspect remains in police custody and will appear in court soon, facing charges of rape and murder.