The 20-year-old suspect was handcuffed on Tuesday. Picture: iStock
Police have arrested another “Facebook rapist” for allegedly luring a teenager on the social media platform and raping her in Mpumalanga.
The 20-year-old suspect known as Tshepo Nxumalo was handcuffed in Standerton on Tuesday.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said Nxumalo met the teen online.
“The victim and the suspect met via social media platform (Facebook). The two are said to have had some conversation which led to their meeting next to a mountain in Standerton on the said Saturday (25 March 2023). The victim reportedly went along with her one-year-old child.
“Upon arrival the suspect allegedly convinced the teenage girl that he needed to fetch her brother on the mountain top. They all went together and on their arrival it is alleged that he raped her in front of her child whilst recording a video using his cell phone,” Mohlala said.
Mohlala said the teen was allegedly raped by the man for the second time.
“He threatened to circulate the recordings he made via social media platforms, should the lady decide to report the incident. Thereafter, the suspect fled the scene and the matter was eventually reported to the police in Standerton and the case was opened.”
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Mohlala said the docket was assigned to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS), a team which pursued the suspect and cornered him in Standerton on Tuesday.
“By Wednesday, 29 March 2023, the man appeared in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court on charges of two counts of rape as well as for common assault. During his court appearance, the matter was postponed to 13 April 2023, for a formal bail application, meanwhile the suspect remains in custody.”
Mohlala has warned the public to be cautious when using social media platforms in order to prevent a situation that might place their lives at risk.
“Parents are also encouraged to monitor their children in an effort to curb such similar incidents,” Mohlala said.
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