Women should avoid high risk places that could increase their vulnerability such as shebeens and pubs since many perpetrators of sexual violence target women who were either drunk or who asked for lifts from strangers, North West Premier Thandi Modise appealed in condemning the rape of a 25-year- old woman from Hartbeesfontein on Wednesday.

“The rape of the woman at a cemetery is a deplorable act that was committed by heartless individuals who have no conscience. We call on police not to leave any stone unturned until those responsible are removed from society and for the community to assist police in their investigations,” stressed Premier Modise.

In calling for united action against the scourge of rape which has victimised close to 50 women in the province since the start of the festive season, Modise said that young girls and women could assist reduce incidents by carefully considering those that they choose to go out with at night and the places they go to for entertainment given that not even infants are safe from sexual violence.

According to police, the young woman was raped twice at Tigane cemetery by two men around 00:30 on Christmas eve.”It is alleged that the victim was with [her] boyfriend on their way to the victim’s home when they were confronted by two suspects wearing balaclavas,” said Captain Pelonomi Makau.The suspects are alleged to have threatened them with an unknown sharp object.The couple attempted to run away from the men but then the woman fell. She was grabbed by the men who took her to the cemetery and took turns raping her.”They took her cell phone before they fled the scene,” said Makau.”After this ordeal, the victim managed to report the incident to the police station.”She was later taken to the hospital. Police were searching for the men.

The arrest of four people in connection with the murder of a man found dead in Tlhaping village on Christmas day confirms that partnership between police and communities is critical for the war against crime and lawlessness to be won, North West Premier said on Thursday.

“We wish to commend members of the public for providing the tip-off that led to the prompt arrest of the suspects and call for the partnership in support of operation duty calls festive season campaign to be strengthened to reduce opportunistic crime in all of our communities, ” stressed Premier Modise 

According to police, the dead man was found naked and appeared to have been assaulted. 

“According to the information the victim was seen by passers-by who informed the police,” said Captain Pelonomi Makau.

“The victim’s face was badly swollen. The motive of the assault is unknown.”

Police received a tip-off which led to the arrest of a man at a local tavern on Wednesday.

“He led the police to the arrest of the other three,” said Makau.

The men were expected to appear in the Atamelang Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

In another breakthrough, three men were arrested for the murder of a man from Sondela informal settlement in Boitekong near Rustenburg.According to police,the men aged between 22 and 40, were arrested on Wednesday around 11am and charged with murder.“It is alleged that a 30-year-old victim from Sondela township was on his way home when he was confronted by the suspects and they had an argument,” 

Captain Pelonomi Makau said. 

Makau said the man was stabbed in the back and his left hand.

The cause of the argument was not clear.

They would also appear in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday on murder charges.-TDN

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Johannesburg – A 10-year-old girl accidentally shot and killed her mother with an air rifle her brother got as a Christmas present, Beeld reported on Friday.

The 45-year-old woman died in a Cape Town hospital on Christmas eve, following the accident in Oude Westhoff, Bellville.

The rifle was a Chrismas present for the girl’s older brother.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel André Traut told Beeld they were investigating.

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 The man arrested for the alleged rape of his 10-year-old neighbour should be denied bail, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Thursday.

“There is no place in society for those who rob our young children, including infants, of their innocence and the elderly of their dignity,” she said in a statement.

“We call on real men to stand up to be counted against the scourge of rape.”

Police arrested the 19-year-old man on Wednesday, just a few hours after he allegedly raped the girl.

Captain Pelenomi Makau said the man allegedly asked the girl to accompany him to a nearby village and she agreed.

“It is alleged that on their way the suspect grabbed the victim [and took her] to a nearby plantation where he allegedly raped her,” said Makau.

The girl reported the incident to her parents when she got home.

“She was taken to the hospital and rape was confirmed. The suspect was later arrested,” said Makau.

He was expected to appear in the Itsoseng Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

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