A simple, everyday errandcharging a cellphonebecame a nightmare for a 14-year-old girl in Pfananani village, Limpopo, leading to the arrest of two young men. The alleged gang rape occurred on the night of 29 December 2025, in a neighbour’s home where the teenager had sought permission to plug in her devices.
According to Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the girl was inside the house with the neighbour and his friend. The situation turned violent when two other men, aged 17 and 21, entered the home. Allegedly intoxicated, they began harassing the girl before taking her phones into a bedroom under the false pretence of charging them.
A Moment of Vulnerability Exploited
Tragically, the attack unfolded when the neighbour and his friend momentarily stepped outside to check on food they were cooking. Police allege the suspects seized the opportunity, taking the girl to a bedroom where she was raped by both men. After the assault, the suspects fled the scene on foot.
The crime was reported, and a dedicated manhunt by the Makhado Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit led to the arrests of the two suspects in the Tshitale policing area on Saturday, 3 January 2026.
A Community’s Safety Broken
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, starkly illustrating how a place presumed safea neighbour’s homecan become a site of extreme violence. It highlights the persistent and brutal reality of gender-based violence that transcends location, exploiting moments of routine trust.
The two accused are scheduled to appear before the Tshitale Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 5 January 2026, to face a charge of rape. As police continue their investigation, the case stands as a grim reminder of the vulnerability of young girls and the urgent, unending work required to ensure their safety in every space they occupy.
