Police nab man sought since 2016
The man has been sought for murder, rape and burglary
LIMPOPO – A 32-year-old man appeared before the Nebo Magistrate’s Court yesterday, 8 April after he was arrested at Sterkfontein in the Hlogotlou Policing area outside Groblersdal in the early hours a day before.
The man was arrested for murder, rape and burglary according to a statement by Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo.
“He was arrested following an intelligence driven operation which comprised the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) and Crime Prevention (CPU) Unit in the area.The cases were believed to be committed between 2015 and 2019,” the statement reads.
According to Mojapelo, one of the incidents occurred at Legolaneng public place on 28 September 2016 at around 16:45.
“Police were alerted about a murder incident and on arrival at the scene, they found a body of a woman with multiple injuries and some body parts missing. She was later identified as Thabitha Makola (62),” he added.
Mojapelo said a case of murder was then opened and police started with investigations to hunt for the suspect(s) involved.
“The suspect was subsequently arrested through forensic investigations that followed and was further linked to another four cases of rape and three burglaries of residences in the area. The motive behind the murder is still being investigated but ritual murder cannot be ruled out,” Mojapelo added.
The man’s cases were postponed to 22 April for formal bail application. The Provincial Commissioner of SAPS, Lt Gen Nneke Ledwaba has applauded the members who ensured that the suspect was arrested so that he can “face the full might of the law”.
Police investigations are still ongoing.
