Ritavi man accused of kidnapping and assaulting wife denied bail
The woman was taken to a local police station by a passerby who found her naked and severely assaulted in nearby bushes.
LIMPOPO – A 39-year-old man facing charges of kidnapping and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm will remain in custody after he was denied bail by the Ritavi Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The man, who cannot be named, is said to have kidnapped and severely assaulted his 35-year-old wife in the Letsitele policing area on July 29.
Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the suspect approached the victim and her sister-in-law, who were walking home after an event, by driving at a high speed and attempted to knock her down with his vehicle.
“The suspect aggressively ordered the victim to get into the vehicle and drove to their home in Nwajaheni village. The police were alerted and a search for both the victim and the suspect began,” his statement read.
Ledwaba said the man’s vehicle was spotted and escorted back to his home where he lied about his wife’s whereabouts.
“The police found the victim’s blood stained clothing and while continuing their search, were informed that the victim was at the local police station as she had been rescued by a passerby who found her in the bushes, naked and severely assaulted,” he said.
Ledwaba added that the motive for the incident is unknown but that domestic violence could not be ruled out.
The suspect will next appear in court on Thursday (August 3).
