The arrested man, who is said to be part of a Facebook account called Nay Maps Mxolisi From Uzalo, allegedly preyed on desperate women and is thought to be responsible for at least eight rape cases reported since late last year in the city.
Working in collaboration with investigating officers from the Investigative Psychology Unit (IPU) and Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units from regional and national head office, police arrested the suspect on March 4.
Following leads in the reported atrocities, the team of investigators led by Capt Samuel Manaka from FCS and Const Ntsako Ledwaba from Boksburg SAPS Social Crime Prevention Unit descended on the Angelo informal settlement during the wee hours of March 4 and caught the suspect in his shack.
The suspect’s cellphones were also confiscated for further investigations. Some of them are believed to be property that were stolen during the rapes.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday to face multiple charges of rape. Other charges, including that of robbery, may be added.
“The arrest of this most wanted suspect is a major breakthrough and was the result of community involvement and diligent team work by several SAPS units on behalf of the Boksburg Police Station. We appreciate the support received from community members and the internal units, and we look forward to working together to rid our communities of dangerous criminals,” said Ledwada.
Spate of rapes
A series of rapes and robberies were recently reported to the Boksburg and Reiger Park police stations, which prompted the police to launch a manhunt and warn members of the public, women in particular, to be on their guard.
The man’s reign of terror, thought to have begun in November, saw several women complaining of a man who coaxed them into secluded spots where he then raped and robbed them of their belongings, within both policing precincts.
How the suspect found his victims
According to the police, the alleged serial rapist is part of a Facebook account called Nay Maps Mxolisi From Uzalo. It was apparently this false identity which enabled him to pose as a “good Samaritan”, coaxing women to secluded areas.
He reportedly met women on Facebook, gained their confidence and promised them jobs or happy romantic relationships. He smooth-talked his victims to travel from their respective places to ‘his place’ in Boksburg.
Once the victims arrived at the local taxi rank, he then sent someone else to go and meet with them at the taxi rank. Once the victims have met with the messenger, the suspect called and persuaded them to take another taxi, with the messenger saying they were travelling to his place.
The unsuspecting victims agreed and once their taxis reached Boksburg, the messenger and the victims alighted in the middle of nowhere before they found themselves in the secluded areas where they were then raped and robbed.
Are you affected by this?
Police said anyone who believe they might have been attacked by the same man can contact them or visit the police station.
Any victim in need of support from specialists could request to be referred to the police station’s Victim Empowerment Centre (VEC).
Click on this link to read more on how the rape incidents occurred: Police hunting a serial rapist in Boksburg
