TONGA – Local police have connected a suspect to 26 cases of rape, from early 2013 to as recently as Sunday and need to community’s help to track him down. He is described as a male in his late 20s to mid-30s.
According to local police spokesman, Capt Mzwandile Nyambi, he mostly targeted women heading home from taverns at night. Case reports state that he overpowered several females on their way to work, home or waiting by the roadside. Two of his victims were raped in their homes.
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In a recent case, a 14-year-old was with her boyfriend in Block B on Sunday when they were threatened by an armed man. He chased the boyfriend away, dragged the girl to another location and raped her. Other cases with a similar modus operandi have been reported.
Nyambi urged residents to refrain from walking anywhere alone, or even together at night, and never to hitchhike or pick up people as this increased chances of being attacked.
Community members were asked to be on the lookout for the suspect and to contact the police immediately if they have any information that may lead to his arrest. They were warned not to take the law into their own hands.
The investigating officer, Det Lesedi Dladla, can be contacted on 082-531-9163.
Authorities also warned residents of Nkomazi of a syndicate which was raping men and encouraged them to report these crimes so that the syndicate members can be arrested.
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Victims of rape and other sexual offences are urged to report cases to their nearest police station as soon as possible, as DNA evidence needs to be collected.
