The Police in Malipsdrift have launched an urgent probe into an incident in which five women were allegedly gang raped, one man shot and injured and six others brutally assaulted by a group of six gun wielding suspects who stormed into two Funeral Parlours that are situated next to Leporong along the R37 road in the early hours of Sunday 4 September 2022.
According to reports, two female friends were on their way to visit a boyfriend working at Wisani Burial Society (Funeral Parlour), walking along the R37 road when they were accosted by six men who grabbed them and took them to the first mortuary were they shot and injured one employee.
They then proceeded to the next mortuary and on arrival, they found three females and six male employees. All six males were severely assaulted by the suspects, allegedly using the buts of their firearms until they became unconscious. All five females were then gang-raped and robbed of their cellphones and other belongings. The suspects thereafter took an undisclosed amount of money from the safe and fled the scene.
The victims were discovered by another employee who was to report on duty and the police were then alerted. On arrival at the scene, they found the badly injured victims lying on the ground and others on chairs. Some of the female victims were also assaulted. The victims were transported to hospital for medical treatment.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has already activated a team of investigators to hunt down the suspects. “The team will spend sleepless nights, hunting down these heartless criminals and bringing them to book. I urge community members to come forward with information to assist the police in cracking these cases as speedily as possible,” said Lieutenant General Hadebe.
Cases of five counts of rape, three counts of kidnapping, attempted murder and business robbery have been opened and police investigations are unfolding.
Anyone with information that lead to the arrest of the suspects may contact Lieutenant Colonel Lehlagane Mamadisa on 079 894 5482 or the Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or the nearest police station or may via MySAPS app.
Callers may opt to remain anonymous and any information received will be treated with strict confidentiality.
