Commissioner lauds arrest of alleged serial rapist suspect
“Community members can rest assured that our members remain resolute in addressing the scourge of gender-based violence”
Addressing crimes committed against women, children and vulnerable persons remains a top priority of the SAPS.
In line with this, provincial commissioner of police in Gauteng Lieutenant General Elias Mawela recently commended the task team involved in bringing a 38-year-old alleged serial rapist to book.
“Relentless efforts and vigilance led to the arrest in Mayfield, Daveyton, on 22 January,” said Mawela.
“The suspect is linked to 35 cases involving multiple charges, including rape and kidnapping, of which the youngest victim is 14.”
A specialised task team was activated following a spate of rape incidents with a similar modus operandi reported in Tembisa and Benoni.
The oldest case dates back to September 2018.
“The task team, comprised of members of the Investigative Psychological Section, Gauteng Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations and detectives of the Benoni and Tembisa Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences units worked tirelessly to hunt down the suspect, that had been terrorising the community,” he said.
“On the morning of the arrest, officers noticed a vehicle matching the description of the alleged suspect in an area where victims were being targeted.
“The vehicle was intercepted and the suspect arrested on the scene. The team’s unwavering commitment to apprehending the rape suspect is commendable. They left no stone unturned.”
According to a reliable source, DNA evidence collected from victims has positively linked the suspect to 14 additional cases of rape.
The case has been postponed to January 31, where it is expected that more charges will be brought against him.
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