Limpopo Man Arrested for Murder of Partner and Rape of Her Teenage Daughter

Horror in Vhembe: Women’s Month marked by tragedy

A small Limpopo community has been left in shock after a 33-year-old man was arrested for the brutal murder of his 36-year-old partner and the rape of her 16-year-old daughter. The crimes, committed in the early hours of Sunday, 10 August 2025, have ignited fresh outrage over the country’s ongoing fight against gender-based violence.

Police in Bandelierkop moved quickly after the teenager reported the assault. By Monday, the suspect was in custody, and the investigation had revealed a far darker crime.

The night that changed everything

According to police, the man woke the teenager around 2 am, telling her they needed to look for her mother at local taverns in Mundzedzi village. Her mother had last been seen the previous day at one of these taverns.

When their search proved fruitless, the suspect led the girl towards the Vleifontein bushes near the local cemetery. There, he allegedly raped her before instructing her to return home alone.

Shaken but determined, the teenager went straight to a trusted community member, who immediately contacted the police. A rape case was opened, and a manhunt began.

A chilling discovery

During questioning on Monday, 11 August, police learned that the missing mother was already dead. The suspect had allegedly murdered her and hidden her body in a pit toilet at a local school.

Police, assisted by other stakeholders, recovered the woman’s body. The suspect now faces charges of both rape and murder.

Police and community outrage

Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe condemned the crimes, noting the cruel irony of their timing during Women’s Month.

“This act of horrible crime represents the worst of gender-based violence,” Hadebe said. “A man who was supposed to protect this family instead became their worst nightmare. That he would murder a woman and then rape her teenage daughter shows the depths of depravity we are fighting against.”

Hadebe has urged communities to remain vigilant and to report abuse early, before it escalates to tragedy.

The bigger picture

The Vhembe District, like many parts of South Africa, continues to grapple with gender-based violence cases that devastate families and erode community trust. Women’s Month is meant to celebrate and protect the women of the country, yet it is also a sobering reminder of how much work remains.

The suspect remains in custody and will appear in court soon. Police investigations are ongoing.

Also read: Ex-policeman Gets 36 Years for Colleague’s Murder in Limpopo

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Source: The Citizen

Featured Image: Pexels