An intelligence driven operation in Klipgat, North West has led to the apprehension of a 39-year-old alleged serial rapist who had evaded justice for the past two years.

Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda Funani says a tactical operation team made the arrest at Sofasonke in Klipgat on Thursday after receiving a tip-off.

“The operation including Klipgat, Hebron as well as Mothotlung visible policing [units] together with Brits tactical response team caught the suspect at his residence,” Funani says.

Funani says the suspect was arrested before he could complete an illegal gun transaction.

“We received information about a man who was in possession of firearms and ammunition and looking for a potential buyer. During the arrest, the suspect was found in possession of a pistol.”

Following preliminary investigation, it came out that the man was a wanted alleged serial rapist who evaded arrest for the past two years.

It is alleged that the suspect targeted and raped women who walked home with their boyfriends from Klipgat taverns in the early hours.

Reports also suggest that he would rob the boyfriends of their personal belongings and take the women to the nearby bushes where he would rape them.

“As part of the investigation, the suspect led the police to his other place in Dubai Section, Mabopane, where an AK-47 rifle with 33 bullets, three magazines and 25 pistol bullets were found hidden.”

Funani says the suspect was arrested in connection with rape, house burglary , business burglary, attempted murder and several counts of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court soon.