Man accused of kidnap & rape of 2 Limpopo nurses appears in court for over 20 charges! A 28-year-old man, Moloto Johannes Sathekge, appeared in the Polokwane Magistrates Court in Limpopo, where he faces a series of serious criminal charges.
The charges, spanning multiple incidents, include attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, two counts of kidnapping, four counts of rape, three counts of housebreaking with intent to commit an offence, and 10 counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, provided details about the allegations, stating that the accused allegedly committed these crimes between December 2024 and January 2025 in Ga-Chuene and Ga-Maja villages.
Details of the Alleged Crimes
According to the NPA, Sathekge allegedly targeted women in their homes, demanding valuable items such as cellphones, laptops, and money. He is also accused of threatening his victims with a panga and sexually assaulting their minor children.
“It is further alleged that he threatened the victims with a panga and sexually assaulted their minor children,” said Malabi-Dzhangi.
The string of alleged crimes sent shockwaves through the affected communities, with residents living in fear as incidents of housebreaking, robbery, and sexual assault escalated over a short period.
Community Terrorized by Crime Spree
During a media briefing, Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba and Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe addressed the impact of Sathekge’s alleged crimes on the local community. They noted that his actions spread terror across multiple areas, including Fynbos, Ga-Maja, Chuene, Matobole, Thokgwaneng, and Mothiba Ngwanamago, all within the Lebowakgomo and Mankweng policing districts.
Hadebe also revealed that Sathekge was out on parole for a previous conviction related to house robbery at the time of these alleged offences.
“It is important to note that the suspect was out on parole for a previous conviction of house robbery at the time of this incident. During the arrest, the police recovered a 9mm pistol, reportedly stolen in Mothiba Ngwanamago, along with nine live ammunition rounds,” said Hadebe.
This revelation has raised concerns about the parole system, with many questioning how a parolee was able to allegedly commit such a large number of violent crimes without earlier detection.
Shocking Incident at Ga-Chuene Clinic
One of the most disturbing incidents linked to Sathekge allegedly took place at the Ga-Chuene clinic. According to reports, he entered the clinic armed with a firearm, where he threatened the security personnel and handcuffed them.
After subduing the security officers, he allegedly kidnapped two nurses and took them into the nearby bushes, where he raped them and robbed them of their cellphones. The nurses, traumatized by the ordeal, managed to return to the clinic after the attack.
Authorities have described this incident as particularly heinous, as it targeted medical professionals who were simply performing their duties to serve the community.
Investigation and Arrest
Law enforcement launched a thorough investigation, which ultimately linked Sathekge to multiple offences. At the time of his arrest, he was already in police custody for an unrelated matter.
“A thorough investigation by law enforcement linked the accused to these offences, and at the time of his arrest, he was already in police custody for an unrelated matter,” Malabi-Dzhangi added.
Following his court appearance, authorities confirmed that the case has been postponed to April 9, 2025, for further investigation.
Public Outcry and Calls for Justice
The community has expressed outrage over the crimes attributed to Sathekge, with many calling for a swift and harsh legal response. The sheer number of charges against him has intensified public concern about safety and crime prevention in the region.
Residents have also questioned the effectiveness of the justice system, particularly how a parolee was able to allegedly re-offend in such a violent manner. Many are now calling for stricter monitoring of parolees and increased security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the legal proceedings continue, victims and their families hope for justice to be served, while law enforcement agencies remain under pressure to ensure that communities are protected from such violent crimes.
