A serial rapist who has been using Facebook to lure unsuspecting women to various locations near Brits where he raped them, was traced and arrested by the police.
“According to information available at this stage, reports suggest that the 35-year-old suspect contacted unsuspecting female victims between the ages of 19-34 via Facebook, offering them work in Klipgat, Loate, Soshanguve and Rietgat areas during the period June to October 2021. He would then invite them for an interview and make an appointment for them to meet in person. During their first appointment, the victims were taken to secluded bushy areas, where they were overpowered, threatened with a knife/firearm, robbed of personal belongings and raped,” said police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh.
The suspect was traced and arrested on Tuesday, 19 October 2021 at a petrol station in Soshanguve. He appeared before the Ga-Rankuwa District Court on Friday for a formal bail application, but he absconded bail and will remain in custody. He is charged on 15 counts of rape and 10 more counts ranging from armed robbery, attempted murder, kidnapping and common robbery. His next court appearance will be on Tuesday, 22 February 2022.”Investigation into the matter continues and the police cannot rule out the possibility of linking the suspect to other cases. Anyone with information that can assist the police in their investigation is requested to contact the investigating officer, Captain Hein Rabe of the provincial Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit on 079 881 9923.
“The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, praised the team for their diligence which resulted in the arrest. He urged the public to exercise extreme caution when making appointments with potential employers or friends, especially after meeting them through social media. He urged people not to meet strangers alone for the first time, but at public places where there are people around.