Staff Reporter
Police in are investigating a case of rape and common robbery after a woman fell victim to a motorist who gave her a lift last week in the northern Free State.
According to the police, the 26-year-old woman was at a hiking spot in Odendaalsrus alongside an unknown person who was also looking for transport.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Sam Makhele said in a statemen the woman was given a lift by the driver of a green-bluish BMW with two other occupants.
But along the way, the situation suddenly turned ugly after one of the passengers jumped out of the car while in motion because the driver kept making U-turns saying he was looking for someone.
“The other passenger then chased after him,” said Makhele.
And while the vehicle was still stationary, the driver is said to have jumped to the back seat of the car and allegedly raped the woman.
“The other passenger who was giving chase came back and allegedly raped her as well,” he added.
The two suspects then took the woman’s cellphone and R200 in cash before leaving her stranded.
She eventually managed to get assistance from a passerby.
Police have warned people to be vigilant during the festive period and not risk their lives by using unknown private vehicles when hitchhiking instead of registered taxis.
According to the police, criminals take advantage of hitchhikers as they are vulnerabile to crime.
They also warned motorists that they could be killed and robbed of their belongings by people they offer lifts.
Meanwhile, a 43-year-old man from Bohlokong, eastern Free State, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Bethlehem Regional Court for raping a 59-year-old woman.
The court heard that Vusimusi Simon Mokone and the woman were drinking at a local tavern on September 26 last year.
When they decided to leave, Mokone asked her to accompany him to his place so he could fetch money for them to have further drinks.
On arrival at his place, Mokone became aggressive towards the woman and began to assault her while threatening to kill her.
He then undressed the woman and tried to rape her but failed to get an erection and proceeded to rape her with his fingers.
After raping the woman, he ordered her to leave his place.
The severely injured rape survivor reported the matter to the police and Mokone was subsequently arrested.
He was denied bail and remained in custody until he was sentenced.