31-year-old victim allegedly held for two days in Shayandima.
By Award winning journalist Victor Mukwevho Ne-vumbani .
Police in Thohoyandou under the Vhembe District are investigating a kidnapping and rape case involving a 31-year-old mentally disabled woman at Shayandima location. The incident allegedly occurred on Saturday, 24 January 2026.
According to police, the 56-year-old mother of the victim left her daughter at home while she went to buy food at a local supermarket.
When she returned, she found her daughter missing and began searching for her before reporting the matter to the police and opening a missing person case.
On Monday, 26 January 2026, the victim’s mother was informed by a relative that her daughter had been found and was admitted at Tshilidzini Hospital.
The victim reportedly told her mother that she had left home because she did not want to take her medication and had gone to Thavhani Mall.
She further alleged that she met an unknown male suspect who took her to an unidentified house in Shayandima, where he forced her to have sexual intercourse.
Police allege that the suspect kept the victim from Saturday evening at about 22:00 until she was released on Monday, 26 January 2026, after which she was taken to hospital. Due to her condition, the victim is unable to identify the house where she was held during the incident.
A manhunt for the suspect is under way. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Lufuno Matsembe, on 082 061 6600, Crime Stop on 08600 10111, visit the nearest police station, or use the MySAPS App.
Police investigations are continuing.
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