Limpopo police have arrested a 33-year-old man believed to have been the serial rapist who terrorised the communities of Tzaneen and Bolobedu between 2015 and 2016.
The 33-year-old suspect was arrested on December 28 in the Tzaneen CBD after police received a tip-off.
The Polokwane Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FSC) unit arrested the man in Tzaneen on Werdnesday.
“The police have been probing at least seven rape cases that were reported between 2015 and 2016 which they noticed had similar modus operandi,” said provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.
Ledwaba said from police investigation, it I alleged that the suspect targeted unsuspecting women on their way to Tzaneen town who either did not know the area well or whom he just offered assistance.
“In doing so, he would lure them to secluded areas. The suspect would then rape and rob the victims of their belongings. One of the victims was also hacked with a panga,” Ledwaba said.
The suspect would also target women hitchhiking on the R71 road to Phalaborwa and Giyani.
Ledwaba added: “Concerted efforts were put into apprehending the perpetrator who was unknown until he was ultimately linked through forensic evidence.”
The suspect briefly appeared at the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where he was charged with multiple charges of rape and robbery.
He is expected to appear in the Bolobedu Magistrate’s Court for a formal bail application.
“The suspect may be linked to more cases as police investigations are still unfolding,” said Ledwaba.
Police have appealed to victims who think they may have fallen prey to this man to come forward and report the matter to the nearest police station or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Source: The Citizen, News24, IOL, Times Live, Jacaranda FM, image from Twitter: @redroom247