Alleged serial rapist caught in Phalaborwa
A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is linked to six separate rape cases that took place in Lulekani, Phalaborwa, Hoedspruit, and surrounding areas.
A 40-year-old man appeared before the Lulekani Magistrate’s Court on Monday, April 29 on charges of rape committed between October last year to January 2024. The suspect was arrested on Thursday, April 25 at Leboeng village by the Phalaborwa Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.
It is alleged that the suspect drove around in a white Polo Vivo to hiking spots and bus stops offering women lifts. After giving them lifts, he will pretend to drive them to their destinations. On the way, he would turn into remote bushes along the road, then threaten them by pointing a firearm at them. The alleged rapist then informed the women that he sold human parts, earning R60 000. He tied them up, raped them and took naked pictures of them.
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Allegedly, the suspect had a 2-litre bottle of water in the car and ordered the women to bathe after raping them. Afterward, he robbed them of their cellphones, money, and jewellery and left them in the bushes naked. He targeted young and middle-aged women. He was identified by the victims during a police identificaton parade.
The provincial commissioner of the police in Limpopo, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe, has commended the investigating team for their swift reaction and efforts to track down the suspect and arrest him in the process. “The community can be rest assured that the culprit is off the streets and will face the full force of the law,” she said.
