A 27-year-old, Sathekge Moloto, accused of kidnapping, assaulting and raping two nurses at the Ga-Chuene clinic in Limpopo on the 10th of January, made his first appearance in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court yesterday. Moloto was arrested on Saturday at his home in Feke village in Ga-Maja after being linked to the crime.

WATERTIGHT CASE

Speaking to the media outside the court, Limpopo police commissioner General Thembi Hadebe said the accused is facing 10 charges; however, his appearance in court yesterday was based only on two charges. "We are awaiting police investigations and the release of DNA test results related to the rape charges. Police have concrete evidence against the accused, and the cellphone of one of the nurses was found in his possession and this links him to the matter," Hadebe said. She explained that police are intensely investigating and pushing for forensics to urgently avail the DNA results for the court to proceed on the 9 April.

MATTER ESCALATED 

Limpopo Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego said as per instruction from Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, they have escalated investigations into the service level agreement signed with the security company that's offering protection services at Ga-Chuene Clinic. This comes after Ramathuba raised questions on how one suspect overpowered three guards. Addressing the media on Sunday, Ramathuba said: "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 did not do that. There is a possibility that we have hired people who don't understand what they are doing." Mashego said they had escalated the matter to check if the security guards followed all protocols. "Steps will be taken against the company if investigations conclude there was a breach of contract. This incident has prompted the need to investigate other security companies that are rendering services, especially at clinics that are operating 24 hours a day, to check if they can offer protection services," said Mashego. She confirmed that the two nurses are getting the help they need.