Johannesburg - An intensive search is underway for seven men involved in two separate gang rapes in the Bolobedu South area near Tzaneen, Limpopo police said on Saturday.
“We have launched a massive manhunt for seven rapists who committed two separate gang rapes of a 20- and 21-year-old woman respectively,” said Lt-Col Moatshe Moepe.
Moepe said both incidents occurred on Friday night when couples, who were walking along a street between Relela and Moleketla villages, were attacked.
“In the first incident, at about 8pm, two men attacked and assaulted the boyfriend who then ran away.
“They then dragged the woman away into the bushes where they raped her.”
A few hours later, the second incident occurred when five men attacked a couple walking along the same road.
“They tied up the boyfriend and then raped his partner in front of him.”
Police suspect the two gang rapes were related, since both crimes had taken place on one night in the same area.
Cases of rape and assault had been opened and police were working with the couples to draw up identikits.
Moepe said that the couples were traumatised and receiving counselling.
People were cautioned against walking in the streets at night in unsafe areas.
Anyone with information was urged to contact the detective-in-charge Colonel James Espach on 082-451-7169. - Sapa