A suspect has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping and rape of two nurses at Ga-Chuene Clinic in Limpopo. This was confirmed by Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba at a press conference at the clinic today. Ramathuba also said the suspect was out on parole for a previous conviction of house robbery at the time of this incident.
A DANGEROUS CRIMINAL
The premier said that acting on credible information, the police moved swiftly to Feke Village in Ga-Maja, where they apprehended the 27-year-old male suspect at his residence. During the arrest, the team recovered a 9mm pistol reported stolen under Lebowakgomo, along with 9 live rounds of ammunition. She said additional items, including laptops, smart cellphones, a panga, and cash, suspected to be linked to other crimes in the area, were recovered. "The recovered firearm was stolen during a house robbery involving a female police officer, further emphasising the dangerous nature of this suspect. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the suspect is linked to over 10 serious cases within the Lebowakgomo policing area, including a business robbery at Chuene Clinic, a house robbery, and attempted murder at Ga-Molepo, which occurred on the night of 17 January 2025," Ramathuba said. The suspect is facing multiple charges, including possession of stolen property.
NOT PROMISING A 24-HOUR CLINIC
Ramathuba added that the attack on Ga-Chuene Clinic was not only a violation of the nurses and staff but also a direct assault on the provision of healthcare services in the province. She said since the suspect has now been arrested, the Limpopo government will continue to provide psychological support for the nurses and staff to help in their recovery from the traumatic experience. "We indicated to the communities that we're not going to open this clinic until the suspect is apprehended. You can see for yourself this suspect was continuing to terrorise even other clinics. Nothing would've stopped him from coming back and continuing to terrorise the staff, so this was a sober decision,' she added. "I can't promise that this clinic will start working 24 hours as soon as tomorrow. The two nurses are traumatised. They will never agree to come and work at this clinic now, meaning we are two nurses short," she said.
SECURITY GUARDS ACTIONS TO BE INVESTIGATED
According to the police, on 10 January, the suspect entered the security guard room and pointed the guards on duty 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, where he found two female nurses on duty, pointed a firearm at them, searched their bags, and robbed them of their cellphones. The suspect took the two nurses to the nearby bushes, where he sexually assaulted them until 5 am and fled. Ramathuba said there had been questions on how the suspects, even though he was armed, managed to overpower two guards. "I'm not saying anything, but you can't have three security guards being overpowered by an individual. Yes, we understand that he was carrying a gun. However, what is frustrating is that the suspect took the two female nurses and left our female security guard, who was not handcuffed, unlike the other male security guards. She had an opportunity to call the police, the metro police, or the HOD, and she has not done that. There is a possibility that we have hired people who don't understand what they are doing,' the premier added. She said she has directed the Department of Health MEC … to thoroughly investigate the security guards' actions.
