LIMPOPO – A 39-year-old man has been arrested for kidnapping and raping his ex-girlfriend after tying her and her 10-year-old niece to separate trees.

The suspect was tracked down following a tip-off on Monday (May 11), and now faces two counts of kidnapping and one count of rape.

The incident

According to police reports, on Saturday, the suspect confronted his ex-girlfriend, a 37-year-old woman, and her young niece as they were walking from her workplace.

He threatened both victims and tied each of them to different trees located a few metres apart.

Child escapes, woman flees the next day

The 10-year-old girl managed to free herself and escaped unharmed. She ran to Skierlik Village to seek help.

The adult female victim remained tied up until the following day, when the suspect left her unattended. She also managed to escape.

The arrest

Acting on a tip-off about the suspect’s whereabouts, members of Hoopdal Visible Policing, Detectives, Hoopdal Rural Safety, and Mayunga Protection Services worked together.

They traced the suspect to a farm where he was found sleeping inside a dwelling.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect raped the 37-year-old victim.

Case transferred, court appearance set

The case has been referred to the Thabazimbi Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) for further handling.

The suspect is expected to appear before the Thabazimbi Magistrate’s Court today (Wednesday).

Police investigations are continuing.