The residents of Limpopo breathed a collective sigh of relief on Saturday when the 45-year-old serial rapist – a notorious knife-wielding predator preying on women who ventured out with male companions at night – was finally arrested.
Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, a spokesperson for the Limpopo police, confirmed the suspect was arrested by members of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in Phalaborwa, following a positive link to nine cases of rape using the same modus operandi.
Colonel Ledwaba said the suspect had been terrorising locals in Matjetje and Makhushane, and his victims ranged from 15 to 36 years old.
“He would threaten the women with a knife, force them into the bushes and rape them. The suspect’s crimes were further compounded in 2019 when he committed yet another rape, which was linked to him through DNA evidence and put him on the police’s radar.”
Major General Jan Scheepers, the Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, welcomed the arrest.
He expressed his gratitude towards the team of police officers responsible for the arrest, remarking that this will certainly reduce the number of rape cases in the affected areas and bring much-needed relief to the communities.
Police investigations are underway to establish whether the suspect could be linked to more similar crimes.
” I would also like to commend the concerted efforts of the members involved that resulted in the arrest of the suspect, which will bring down level of rape incidents in the affected areas and bring relief to the affected communities as well,” said Major General Scheepers.
The suspect will appear in the Namakgale Magistrate’s Court on Monday 24 April 2023.
Be First to Comment