Police in Limpopo, South Africa, have arrested a 62-year-old man in connection with the rape of a 37-year-old woman in Makotse village near Lebowakgomo, after DNA forensic evidence linked him to the crime more than a year later.
According to Limpopo police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, the incident occurred on January 13, 2025, when the victim was accosted near Mosepedi School at about 11:30 a.m. An unidentified man, allegedly armed with a knife, threatened and assaulted her before raping her and fleeing with her cellphone.
Mashaba said the suspect was also linked to a similar rape reported a day earlier, on January 12, 2025, in Motantanyane village. He was initially arrested on January 14, 2025, during which police recovered a firearm in his possession. The suspect appeared in court at the time and was granted bail.
Police said the man later moved to the Mokopane policing area, where he worked as a security guard at a brickyard owned by a relative. Although the suspect was unknown to the victim at the time of the attack, further investigations, including DNA analysis, later confirmed a forensic match linking him to the crime.
Members of the Lebowakgomo Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit subsequently traced and re-arrested the suspect in Mokopane on Wednesday. He is expected to appear before the Thabamoopo Magistrates’ Court on Friday on a charge of rape.
Investigations are ongoing.
