A 33-year-old man believed to have been involved in seven rape cases in Limpopo has been tracked down and arrested. According to police reports, the man was believed to be a serial rapist that was terrorising the communities of Bolobedu and Tzaneen.
The seven rape cases were reported between 2015 and 2016 – all of which had displayed a similar modus operandi.
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Police were told that the perpetrator seemed to be targeting unsuspecting women who travelled into town in Tzaneen but did not know the area very well. At this point, it was alleged that the suspect would offer the lost woman some assistance, and in doing so, he would lure them to a secluded area.
The suspect would then rape and rob the victims of their belongings. Police also confirmed that one of the victims was hacked with a panga during the incident.
Targeting hitchhikers
In a statement, police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, said: “The suspect also targeted women hitchhiking on the R71 road on the way to Phalaborwa and Giyani. A concerted effort was put in trying to apprehend the perpetrator who was unknown until he was ultimately linked through forensic evidence.”
After evading police radar, a tip-off received by police finally led to an arrested in the Tzaneen CBD.
The accused briefly appeared at the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 30 December 2022 on multiple charges of rape and robbery. He will appear before Bolobedu Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 03 January 2023 and in Tzaneen on 06 January for a formal bail application.
“The suspect may be linked to more cases as police investigations are still unfolding,” Ledwaba said.
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