Wanted serial rapist arrested by Limpopo police in Alexandra

The tactical focus of police in Limpopo to eradicate serious criminal acts, especially sexual offences terrorising women and children, is continuously producing magnificent results, police spokesperson Lt-Col Moatshe Ngoepe told Bosveld Review.

This follows the arrest of one of the most wanted serial rapists in the province.

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“A well-coordinated intelligence-driven operation compromising of the Groblersdal Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit [FCS] and crime intelligence, succeeded in tracing this serial rapist, who has been terrorising women around Rakgoadi, Nebo and Sonnoville policing areas in the Groblersdal Cluster between the 2014 and 2017,” he explained.

The 35-year-old taxi owner targeted victims between the ages of 14- and 23-years-old, by offering them lifts at night using a taxi or a private vehicle. While driving to their destination, he would deviate, pounce on them and drag them to secluded areas and rape them. In some instances, the ordeal would take place inside the vehicle.

According to Ngoepe, the suspect was arrested in Soshanguve, near Pretoria, for burglary in 2017, but was later released.

“Intensive investigations by the FCS have linked him to six cases of rape in Limpopo. He was traced and arrested in Alexandra, Gauteng, by the above mentioned SAPS Limpopo Joint Task Team. He will appear before the Nebo Magistrates’ Court today,” he added.

Provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Nneke Ledwaba, has commended the excellent team effort by the Groblersdal FCS and crime intelligence unit for successfully apprehending this dangerous criminal.

“This is a clear cautioning message to all criminals out there, especially those who target vulnerable citizens, that they can run but they will never hide from the long arm of the law,” concluded Ledwaba.

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