DNA breakthrough in r@pe case leads to arrest of 62-year-old man

Police in Limpopo, South Africa, have arrested a 62-year-old man in connection with the r@pe of a 37-year-old woman in Makotse village near Lebowakgomo, after DNA forensic analysis linked him to the attack more than a year later.

Limpopo police spokesperson Brig. Hlulani Mashaba said the incident occurred on January 13, 2025, when the victim was confronted by an unknown man armed with a knife near Mosepedi school at about 11:30 a.m. She was threatened, assaulted and r@ped before the attacker fled with her cellphone.

Mashaba said the suspect had allegedly committed a similar r@pe the previous day, January 12, 2025, in Motantanyane village. Police arrested him on January 14, 2025, at around 7:50 p.m. and recovered a firearm in his possession, which was confiscated. He appeared in court shortly afterward and was granted bail.

According to police, the suspect later relocated to the Mokopane policing area, where he worked as a security guard at a brickyard owned by a family member. At the time of the attack, the perpetrator was unknown to the victim, but subsequent investigations, including DNA testing, confirmed a forensic match linking him to the crime.

Members of the Lebowakgomo Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit traced and re-arrested the suspect on Wednesday in Mokopane. He is expected to appear before the Thabamoopo Magistrates’ Court on Friday on a charge of r@pe.

Police say investigations are ongoing.