Police in South Africa have detained a 33-year-old man suspected to have been involved in seven rape cases in Limpopo.
The suspected serial rapist has been terrorising the communities of Tzaneen and Bolobedu, according to police reports.
The seven rape cases were reported between 2015 and 2016 all of which were executed in similar manner.
The culprit targets unsuspecting women who arrive Tzaneen but did not know how to navigate their way in the area. It was alleged that the suspect would offer the lost women some assistance, and in doing so, he would lead them into an ambush.
The suspect would then rape and steal the belonging of his victims. Police also confirmed that one of the victims was hacked to death with a cutlass.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, said in a statement: “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 being on the run for 6 years, a tip-off received by police finally led to his arrest in the Tzaneen CBD.
The accused appeared at the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on Friday, December 30, 2022 on multiple charges of rape and robbery.
He will appear before Bolobedu Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday January 3, 2023 and in Tzaneen on January 6 for a formal bail application.
“The suspect may be linked to more cases as police investigations are still unfolding,” Ledwaba said.