POLOKWANE – A 39-year-old, wanted suspect, who managed to evade arrest and fled from Vuwani, was arrested during an intelligence led, joint operation in Polokwane on Monday, 20 May and is expected to appear before the Vuwani Magistrate’s Court, soon.
According to a statement released by police spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe, the highly wanted serial rapist terrorized communities in the Vuwani area, outside Thohoyandou, between 2012 and 2015.
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“The suspect was arrested on Monday, 20 May in Extension 44, outside Polokwane, and was positively linked to ten cases of rape and robberies which he committed in and around the Vuwani policing area. The suspect would target victims between the ages of 15 and 25-years-old during his reign of terror,” Ngoepe explained.
In December 2013, the suspect met a 15-year-old girl while on her way to the Vuwani shopping complex when he produced a knife and forcefully dragged the girl to the nearby bushes and raped her. He then took R100 cash from her and ordered her to return home.
In January 2014, the suspect raped a 19-year-old girl in the presence of her boyfriend in Vyeboom, block D. It is alleged the couple were walking home when the suspect suddenly came out of nowhere, holding a knife. He grabbed the victim and threatened her boyfriend by telling him that if he ran to get assistance, he (the suspect) would stab the victim. He then raped the victim and robbed the couple of their belongings, groceries and later fled the scene.
Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba, has applauded the team on a job well done.
