A serial rapist was arrested for twelve cases of rape in Polokwane 

The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe applaud the industrious work organized by the members of SAPS Burgersfort Family Violence and Sexual Offences Unit and Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation Unit in Sekhukhune District for nabbing a 30-year- old serial rapist yesterday .

The police preliminary investigations divulge that the suspect is linked to twelve (12) separate rape incidents, which took place in Mecklenburg, Tubatse, Burgersfort and Driekop policing areas. The community, in particular women in these policing areas, have been subjected to the worst form of violence and torture after being raped allegedly by this senseless man.

The suspect’s reign of terror and atrocious crimes of targeting unsuspecting and vulnerable women started in 2015 until 2022. 

In one of the incidents, during 27 May 2017, the victim, a 14-year-old girl from Selala village Mecklenburg, allegedly visited her friend in the nearby village. It is alleged that the victim took a taxi with two male occupants on her way back home. Information suggests that she was surprised to see a taxi passing by the place she was supposed to alight even after informing the driver. They drove until they arrived in the bush, and she tried to escape but was chased until she was caught and assaulted by the two. They both raped her.

It is reported that the suspects in all the cases targeted and gang raped young and middle-aged females, threatening them with a firearm and a knife.

The 30-year-old suspect was linked through DNA with 12 cases he committed between the year 2015 and 2022.

In another incident, a 26-year-old woman from Mashamthane village (London) Tubatse policing area was allegedly raped by three suspects on 27 October 2020. On the fateful day, she allegedly visited her friend at a nearby village and on her way back home, she met with three unknown African males and was forcefully dragged into the bushes where she was repeatedly raped.

The Provincial FCS, SECI (Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation unit) Limpopo under the Command of Captain Ramoneta conducted an operation on Friday afternoon, 12 January 2024 which led to the arrest of the above mentioned suspect.

The outstanding two suspects are still on the run. The 30-year-old will appear before Mecklenburg Magistrates' Court soon facing twelve charges of rape. Police investigations are continuing.