Terror gripped Hoveni village as armed criminals stormed homes in a brutal overnight crime spree, prompting Limpopo police to launch a manhunt for two suspects behind a series of house robberies and sexual assaults between Friday night, May 9, and the early hours of Saturday, May 10.
According to provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the suspects launched a ruthless crime spree between 11:30 pm on Friday and 2:00 am on Saturday, targeting seven homes in Hoveni village in what appears to have been a well-coordinated and calculated series of attacks.
“The suspects, armed with firearms, forcibly entered homes by breaking down doors, demanding money and valuables from victims, and committing serious violent crimes including multiple counts of rape involving minors.”
Ledwaba revealed chilling details of the rampage, saying the suspects brutally raped three young girls aged just 14 and 15, leaving families shattered.
A man was shot multiple times in an attempted murder and now clings to life in the hospital. The attackers also carried out several violent assaults with the intent to cause grievous harm, firing shots indiscriminately and plunging the community into fear and heartbreak.
He mentioned that an intensive investigation is already under way, with forensic teams carefully examining the crime scenes and collecting essential evidence, including spent cartridges.
“Forensic teams have already recovered several pieces of evidence from the crime scenes, including empty cartridges. A specialised task team comprising detectives from the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Unit, Crime Intelligence, and Tactical Response Team has been established to investigate these cases,” Ledwaba added.
In recent months, the province has been plagued by violent crimes, including a horrific house robbery in which a young girl was raped and a boy shot in the forehead. The brutal attack sparked protests within the community, forcing police to step in and take control of the escalating crime spree.
Meanwhile, Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has condemned the brutal crimes and ordered the swift deployment of all available resources to ensure the suspects are brought to justice without delay.
"What we have witnessed in Hoveni village is an attack not just on individual families, but on the safety and dignity of our entire community.
''I have directed our most experienced detectives to prioritise this case and ordered the deployment of additional specialised units to the area. These dangerous criminals will be found, and they will face the full might of the law."
Hadebe also stated that the extreme violence and cruelty exhibited during these attacks are deeply unsettling and have shaken the community to its core.
"The level of violence and depravity shown during this crime spree is deeply disturbing. These criminals showed complete disregard for human life and dignity, particularly targeting vulnerable women and children. We will not rest until they are behind bars," she added.
Police are appealing to community members who may have information about the suspects' identities to contact Warrant Officer Phaladi Makola at 082 749 2233 or Colonel Richard Boshomane at 079 894 5501, or Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or use MySAPSApp.
The Star
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