Authorities in the Bolobedu area have intensified efforts to locate a suspect following a harrowing double rape and armed robbery that targeted two women in Ramaroka Village on Saturday, 3 May 2026, around 21:00.
The Bolobedo Police confirmed they are probing two charges of rape alongside robbery with a firearm. The attack unfolded after an 18-year-old woman in Kheshokholwe Village accepted transportation from an unidentified male driver operating a silver Toyota Avanza with untraceable registration plates. The man stated he was also en route to Mohlabaneng Village.
While traveling, the suspect stopped at the Mokwakwaila four-way intersection to collect a second female passenger, who similarly indicated Mohlabaneng as her destination.
The driver proceeded to Ramaroka Cross, adjacent to the Voltania Solar Plant, where he halted the vehicle claiming he needed to step out briefly. Upon returning, the 18-year-old victim requested he signal a passing car she recognized as belonging to a relative on the main road.
Instead, the suspect drew a firearm, aimed it at both passengers, and commanded the second woman to lie face-down on the ground, warning he would shoot her if she made a sound. He then re-entered the vehicle wielding a sharp object and threatened to stab the 18-year-old should she scream.
Under coercion, the 18-year-old was forced to remove her clothing and was raped by the suspect inside the vehicle. Immediately afterward, the assailant dragged the second victim from her position on the ground and sexually assaulted her as well.
Once the rapes were complete, the suspect seized two cellphones from the women before speeding away from the scene in the silver Toyota Avanza.
The two survivors successfully attracted the attention of a passing motorist, who assisted them in reporting the crime to local law enforcement. Bolobedu Police officers responded promptly to secure the scene, document evidence, and initiate investigative protocols.
A coordinated manhunt for the unidentified suspect is actively in progress. Investigators are appealing to the public for any information regarding the suspect’s identity, the silver Toyota Avanza, or circumstances surrounding the incident. Tips can be directed to the Bolobedu Police Station or the national SAPS Crime Stop line.
“The safety of our community remains paramount, and we are deploying all available resources to apprehend this individual,” stated police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo. “We urge residents to stay alert and share any relevant observations without delay.”
Both victims are currently receiving trauma counseling and support services through dedicated crisis response teams. Police have withheld additional personal details to safeguard the ongoing investigation and the dignity of those affected.