- One person has been arrested for the rape and attempted murder of a Limpopo student.
- The alleged perpetrator was beaten by a mob when he and an accomplice were allegedly spotted carrying the woman into bushes.
- A second suspect is still on the run.
One person has been arrested and another is on the run after the rape and attempted murder of a student in Thohoyandou, Limpopo.
Angry residents attacked the two alleged perpetrators after they were reportedly seen carrying the student into some bushes, said police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.
The 21-year-old victim was in her rented room in Makwarela, Thohoyandou, when someone believed to be her ex-boyfriend arrived with his friend on Sunday. She is said to be a student at the Vhembe TVET College.
"The two men allegedly forced her into the boot of their motor vehicle and they then left the area. The suspects allegedly drove to Mphaila village (Siloam policing area) and stopped in the bushes, where one of the suspects allegedly raped her," Mojapelo said.
"They then started chopping her with a sharp object until she lost consciousness. Apparently, thinking that the victim was dead, they then carried her and attempted to dump her in the bushes," he said.
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Angry residents of Ha-Maphaila Village allegedly caught one of the attackers and assaulted him after another resident saw them carrying the woman, Mojapelo added.
The badly injured woman was transported to hospital.
The police arrived and arrested the injured man. He is under police guard in hospital.
The second attacker managed to escape and was still on the run.
Cases of kidnapping, rape and attempted murder have been opened.
Police have requested anyone with information on the attack to contact Detective Sergeant Thabelo Victor Ndou on 071 401 3203 or 015 973 5202, or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
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