The police in Limpopo have launched an intensive manhunt for two armed suspects responsible for a series of violent house robberies, and sexual assaults that terrorized residents of Hoveni village in the Maake policing area between the night of Friday, 9 May and the early hours of Saturday, 10 May 2025.
Between 23:30 on Friday and 02:00 on Saturday, the suspects embarked on a ruthless crime spree, targeting seven households within the same community in what appears to be a 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.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has expressed profound outrage at these heinous crimes and has ordered the immediate mobilization of all available resources to apprehend the suspects.
“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,” said Lieutenant General Hadebe. “I have directed our most experienced detectives to prioritize this case and ordered the deployment of additional specialized units to the area. These dangerous criminals will be found and they will face the full might of the law.”
The crime spree included: multiple house robberies where cash and cellphones were stolen. Three separate incidents of rape, including the sexual assault of minors aged 14 and 15, and attempted murder where a male victim was shot multiple times and is currently hospitalized.
Assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and multiple instances where shots were fired.
Forensic teams have already recovered several pieces of evidence from the crime scenes, including empty cartridges. A specialized 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.
“The level of violence and depravity shown during this crime spree is deeply disturbing,” added Lieutenant General Hadebe. “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.”
Police are appealing to community members who may have information about the suspects’ identities to contact Warrant Officer Phaladi Makola at 082 749 2233, Colonel Richard Boshomane at 079 894 5501, Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS App.
