Limpopo Police Arrest Suspect in Twelve Rape Cases

LIMPOPO – The South African Police Service in Limpopo, under the command of Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has successfully apprehended a 30-year-old man suspected of being a serial rapist. The arrest was made on Saturday, January 13, 2024, by the SAPS Burgersfort Family Violence and Sexual Offences Unit and Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation Unit in the Sekhukhune District.

According to South African Police Service, the suspect is linked to twelve separate rape incidents occurring in the Mecklenburg, Tubatse, Burgersfort, and Driekop policing areas. These incidents, involving young and middle-aged female victims, occurred between 2015 and 2022, creating a climate of fear and violence in the affected communities.

In a detailed account of one incident from May 27, 2017, a 14-year-old girl from Selala village in Mecklenburg was assaulted and raped by two men after boarding a taxi. The victim was taken to a remote area where she attempted to escape but was caught and assaulted.

The suspect, who often used threats of violence with a firearm or knife, was linked to the twelve cases through DNA evidence. Another reported incident involved a 26-year-old woman from the Tubatse policing area, who was forcefully taken and raped by three men in October 2020.

The arrest was the result of an operation conducted by the Provincial FCS and SECI (Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation unit) Limpopo, led by Captain Ramoneta, on Friday, January 12, 2024. While this suspect is in custody, two additional suspects involved in these crimes remain at large.

The 30-year-old is scheduled to appear before the Mecklenburg Magistrates’ Court to face twelve charges of rape. The police continue their investigations to apprehend the remaining suspects and bring closure to these cases.