LIMPOPO – A 62-year-old man has been re-arrested for a rape that occurred in Makotse village in January last year, following a DNA match.

The victim, a 37-year-old woman, was attacked while walking near Mosepedi school on January 13, 2025. She was threatened with a knife, assaulted, raped and robbed of her cellphone.

The suspect was initially arrested the following day for a separate rape that allegedly occurred on January 12, 2025, in Motantanyane village.

During that arrest, he was found in possession of a firearm. He appeared in court, was granted bail and subsequently relocated to the Mokopane area, where he worked as a security guard.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba confirmed that ongoing forensic analysis of DNA evidence from the January 13 incident later positively linked the suspect to that rape.

Members of the Lebowakgomo Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit traced and re-arrested the suspect in Mokopane on Wednesday (January 7).

The suspect is expected to appear before the Thabamoopo Magistrate’s Court today (January 9) to face a charge of rape.

Police investigations are continuing.