Police in Limpopo have launched a manhunt for a suspect following the kidnapping and rape of a 31-year-old mentally challenged woman in Shayandima, near Thohoyandou.

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba says the incident happened over the weekend of January 24, 2026, while the victim’s mother briefly left home to buy food.

“A 56-year-old mother of the victim allegedly left her daughter at home and went to purchase food at a local supermarket,” Ledwaba said.

“When the mother returned, she discovered that her daughter was nowhere to be found at home and started searching for her until she went to the police station to open a missing person file.”

The woman was reported missing on Saturday. Two days later, on Monday, 26 January, a relative informed the family that the victim had been found and was at Tshilidzini Hospital.

“She rushed to the medical facility and found her missing daughter,” Ledwaba said.

The victim told her mother she had left home because she did not want to take her medication and went to Thavhani Mall, where she met an unknown man.

“The victim met an unknown male suspect who took her to an unknown house at Shayandima location and forced her to have sexual intercourse with him inside the house on their arrival,” Ledwaba said.

Police said the suspect kept the victim from Saturday evening at about 10pm until she was released on Monday, when she ended up at the hospital.

Due to her condition, she is unable to identify the exact house where she was held.

“A manhunt for the suspect is ongoing, and anyone with information that can assist should contact the Investigating Officer Sergeant Lufuno Matsembe on 082 061 6600, the Crime Stop number 08600 10111, their nearest police station, or use the MySAPS App,” Ledwaba said.

SAPS confirmed that investigations are continuing.

IOL News

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