LIMPOPO — A horrific incident has left the community of Tshisele village near Thohoyandou in shock after an 18-year-old heavily pregnant woman was attacked, raped, and robbed on her way home from a routine clinic visit. The brutal attack took place on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, and has since sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns about the safety of women in the area.
According to Thohoyandou Police spokesperson Vuledzani Dathi, the young woman was returning to her home in Makononi village after a pregnancy check-up. After alighting from a taxi on the main road at Tshisele, she began walking toward her home, unaware that danger was lurking nearby.
Just a short distance into her journey, an unknown man allegedly approached her from behind, threatening her with an unidentified object. The attacker then forced her off the path into nearby bushes where he proceeded to rape her. After committing the crime, the perpetrator reportedly took her cellphone and money before fleeing into the bushes.
Dathi confirmed that police have launched an intensive manhunt for the suspect. “At this stage, the suspect’s identity is unknown, but investigations are ongoing. We are urging community members who might have seen anything or have any information to come forward and assist in bringing the perpetrator to justice,” Dathi said.
The victim’s family, still in shock over the ordeal, spoke to Briefly News, expressing deep pain and frustration over what had happened to their loved one. A family spokesperson shared that the young woman is currently receiving medical treatment at a local hospital. Although she is reported to be in stable condition, she remains traumatised and emotionally broken.
“We are hurt and struggling to come to terms with what has happened. This man saw that she was heavily pregnant, yet he still did this terrible thing to her. It’s inhumane,” the spokesperson said. “He should have just taken the phone and money and left her alone. Now she will carry this trauma for the rest of her life.”
The family remains hopeful that the suspect will be apprehended soon. “We trust that the police will find him. We want to know why he decided to do such a cruel and disgusting thing to someone who was simply on her way home from a clinic visit, happy about her coming child,” they added.
The incident has reignited debates around gender-based violence in South Africa, particularly in rural areas where women often walk long distances alone, vulnerable to attack. Statistics released earlier this year revealed that Thohoyandou police station ranks among the top five stations in South Africa for reported sexual assault cases.
Police have urged anyone with information that could lead to the suspect’s arrest to contact their nearest station.
As the investigation continues, the victim’s family and the entire community of Tshisele remain united in their hope for justice.