Limpopo Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has practiced what she sermonized that under her leadership she will leave no stone unturned to criminals who are terrorizing communities with their unscrupulous unorthodox corruption trends.
Lieutenant General Hadebe various police units managed to remove a thorn in the Garden of Eden /Limpopo following the rapid arrest of a suspect linked to multiple serious and violent crimes, including the brutal robbery, kidnapping, and sexual assault of two female nurses at Chuene Clinic in Thokgwaneng Village, Ga-Chuene, under the Lebowakgomo policing area on the morning of Friday, January 10, 2025.
"This should serve as a stern warning to all criminals who undermine the security of our government facilities. We will ensure that the perpetrator faces the full consequences of his actions, as we continue to ensure that victims of gender-based violence receive justice," said Lieutenant General Hadebe who also applauded and commended collaborative efforts of various police units involved in the swift arrest of a suspect.
The consummate leader of SAPS in Limpopo who is the Provincial Commissioner this week confirmed the developments during the media briefing held on Sunday at Ga-Chuene clinic in Thokgwaneng, joined by the Premier of Limpopo, Dr Phophi Ramathuba and her cabinet Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego and Transport and Safety MEC Violet Mathye, Executive Mayor of Capricorn, Cllr Mamedupi Teffo and Polokwane MMC for Community Services, Cllr Josuf Pemma.
Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, Limpopo SAPS provincial spokesperson told The Azanian that Lieutenant General Hadebe noted that on the devastating day, 10th January 2025, the suspect entered the security guardroom, where three security members were on duty and pointed them with a firearm. He then tied two of the security guards and instructed the third guard, a female security officer, to lead him to the clinic premises. He then found two female nurses on duty, pointed them with a firearm, searched their bags, and robbed them of their cellphones. The suspect took the two nurses out of the premises on foot at gunpoint to the nearby bushes, leaving behind the female security officer. He then sexually assaulted the victims and fled the scene.
Following meticulous investigation, the team successfully located the 27-year-old suspect on Saturday, 18 January, at Ga-Maja Ga Phiri Village, where he was apprehended at his home. This follows an intelligence-driven operation, led by the Provincial Tracking Team, Provincial Investigations Unit, Lebowakgomo Detectives, Westenburg Detectives and the Modimolle LCRC.
Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba further said during the arrest, the team recovered a 9mm pistol, which had been reportedly stolen in a previous house robbery involving a female police officer attached to the Lebowakgomo Police Station. The suspect is also linked to several other serious crimes, including a business robbery at Thokgwaneng Clinic, a house robbery and attempted murder in Ga-Molepo and various other robberies and sexual assaults.
“In total, the suspect is linked to over 10 serious and violent cases within the Lebowakgomo policing area. During the arrest, the police recovered items such as the stolen firearm, live ammunition, laptops, cellphones, cash, and other valuables,” she said.
Premier Ramathuba commended the police for their sterling work however she expressed her discontentment over the clinic security confirming that the security company will be zoomed in to detect what informed the incident to happen under their wings. She said however that the victim nurses are receiving counselling and support.
Meanwhile, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba confirmed that the suspect who is facing multiple charges appeared at the Polokwane Magistrate Court on today, Monday, 20 January 2025. The case was postponed to April 9, 2025.
“The Police will continue to investigate and finalize other linked cases,” she concluded.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe and Premier of Limpopo, Dr Phophi Ramathuba with other officials.
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