By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley- Couple canoodling at the well-known ‘Lover’s Den’ on the road to Brakley West just after Lerato Park near Kimberley are falling prey to criminals who lie in wait for them.
A Galeshewe man was allegedly shot several times and his partner was allegedly raped twice by an unknown man who surprised them whilst they were romancing.
“It is alleged that at about 02:00am on Sunday morning, the 29 year-old man left a local tavern in Galeshewe with a woman he met at the tavern. They then drove to the ‘Lover’s Den’. While they were busy outside the car, an unknown armed person accosted them. Four shots were fired at the man. He sustained gunshot wounds to his chin, neck, shoulder stomach, eye” colonel Priscilla Naidu said.
Naidu said the suspect then allegedly raped the woman and then forced her into the car and drove off in the direction of Bloemfontein. While on the way, the woman was again allegedly raped.
“The VW Polo Vivo began to stall near Petrusburg, but the suspect managed to drive to a garage in Petrusburg. He gave two hitchhikers (a man and a woman) a lift. It is further alleged that the suspect took money from the hitchhikers to fill up petrol” said Naidu.
As they were driving towards Bloemfontein, the vehicle once again stalled. The passengers got out of the vehicle, leaving the suspect behind. They hitched another ride into Bloemfontein. The woman alerted the two hitchhikers about what had happened and contact was immediately made with SAPS Galeshewe about the injured man at the veld.
“The matter was reported at about 06:00 on Sunday morning at SAPS Bloemfontein. When police arrived at the spot where the vehicle allegedly stalled, the suspect was nowhere to be seen. The vehicle was recovered and two cell phones belonging to the injured man (Blackberry and Samsung) are missing” said Police.
The injured man was taken to Kimberley hospital where he is in a serious, but stable condition. It is reported that he has lost sight to his left eye.
The Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) in Galeshewe are investigating a case of Hijacking, Attempted murder and Rape. “Police would like to warn romantic couples to stay clear of this open veld as this is the third incident this year where couples were attacked and robbed” Naidu said.
In the first two incidents, suspects were arrested and the cases are still pending.
The veld is away from the main road and the area is unlit. Criminals are aware of this spot and lie in wait for unsuspecting victims.
D/W/O Godfrey Khatwane of SAPS Galeshewe FCS is appealing to the community to assist in the investigation. The suspect is not yet arrested and anyone who can provide information to the police is asked to contact him on 053 8076161 or on 0832630750. All information furnished to the police will be treated in the strictest confidence.
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