POLOKWANE – The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has welcomed the arrest of three suspects during an intelligence driven operation that was conducted by members of the Provincial Investigating Team and other Units, including the local Detectives, following the brutal killing of a young couple on 06 October 2020 at Ga-Rapitsi village in Bolobedu outside Tzaneen.
The couple, Lucia Malapane aged 18 and Nius Malatjie aged 21 was found dead at their house at Ga-Rapitsi village, Itireleng Section by their neighbour, who was said to be the employer of one of the deceased (Malatjie). The businessman, aged 47, had apparently gone to the house to find out why his employee did not report for work that morning when he made the gruesome discovery. The couple’s 12-month-old baby was found sitting next to the bodies.
The matter was reported to the Police and on arrival at the scene, the deceased were found with gruesome injuries. The initial investigations were then immediately activated.
These murders sparked widespread violent protests by community members in the area, after they accused the said businessman of being responsible for the brutal murder of the young couple.
The angry mob from this village went on the rampage, torching the businessman’s shop and one motor vehicle. They proceeded to his house, burnt it and in the process, killed some livestock including chickens, goats and pigs. The suspects then fled the scene and no arrests were made so far.
The intense police investigations into the killings continued until the three suspects were arrested yesterday, 14 March 2021. The suspects were found in possession of some items belonging to the deceased.
The suspects, aged between 34 and 47 will appear before Bolobedu Magistrate’s Court today on Monday, 15 March 2021, facing charges of house breaking with intent to commit two counts of murder, rape and robbery.
The motive for the brutal murders will be determined by the on-going police investigations.
Source: South African Police Service