POLOKWANE – The provincial police commissioner, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe, has hailed the swift arrest of two suspects on charges of rape and human trafficking.

Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo says the victim, a 23-year-old foreign national, was lured into the country for non-existent employment and ended up being subjected to prolonged rape before her escape.

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“The girl was allegedly called by her cousin, who promised her work in Ga-Thoka village under the Mankweng policing area. Towards the end of last month, she was given transport money and travelled from Lesotho to the said area where, upon her arrival, was handed over by her cousin, to a man as her ‘husband’.”

Mojapelo says the woman was allegedly raped for the entire period but managed to escape and report the ordeal at the Mankweng Police Station yesterday (August 10).

“The victim went to Paledi Mall where she was given directions to the police station. Police reacted swiftly and arrested the victim’s cousin (24) and the man (32) who will appear in the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of rape and human trafficking,” he said.

Mojapelo added that the matter was handed over to the Directorate of Priority Investigations (Hawks) for further investigation.