Another rapist has been caught and sentenced to life in prison after he targeted and raped numerous women in Randfontein.
Simon Rasool (30) was handed the verdict of life imprisonment at the Gauteng High Court on 2 August.
This comes after Rasool was found guilty on seven charges of rape.
Owing to the fact that Rasool also robbed his victims, he was sentenced to an additional nine years’ imprisonment on charges of robbery and 15 years on a charge of aggravated robbery.
According to Randfontein SAPS spokesperson Captain Appel Ernst, Rasool was found to have been following specific modus operandi in all his attacks.
“For some time Rasool has been targeting his victims from the Randfontein taxi rank and the Randfontein train station.
“There, he would lure his victims into believing that he would offer them job opportunities. He also offered to carry his victims’ luggage and accompany them to their destination,” says Ernst.
She adds that during this time, Rasool would take his victims to a secluded area where he would attack, rape and rob them.
After a second case of rape was reported at the Randfontein SAPS, Investigating Officer Thobeka Nkosi from the West Rand Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in Krugersdorp was able to connect the dots of the incidents.
“Having noted the second case, Nkosi was able to spot the similarities in the incidents. She intensified her investigation and her diligence was awarded when she arrested Rasool.
“Further investigations positively linked Rasool to five other cases where he used a similar yet slightly changed modus operandi,” says Ernst.
She adds the Randfontein SAPS management congratulates Nkosi for the job well done and the long hours she put into tracing the victims and comparing the cases.
