VEREENIGING – Sergeant Mpikiti Ben Thaele of the Vereeniging Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit tracked down and re-arrested a convicted rapist who had escaped from lawful custody.

SAPS spokesperson, Lieutenant colonel Mavela Masondo said the accused is currently serving a sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment for a rape he committed in 2021.

According to Masondo the convicted rapist was receiving treatment at a medical facility when he escaped from lawful custody on Thursday  February 3.

Thaele was informed of the escape and he immediately formed a task team with members of Leeuhof and Groenpunt Correctional Services to trace and arrest the escapee.

“While out tracing the whereabouts of the escapee Thaele received information that a woman had allegedly been raped at Henley-on-Klip train station in Meyerton,” said Masondo.

“Sergeant Thaele interviewed the 33-year-old victim who was able to vividly describe her alleged perpetrator; fitting the description of the escapee. The victim was apparently on her way home after work when she was allegedly attacked and raped by the perpetrator.”

“Within hours of this rape incident, Thaele arrested the escapee at Henley-on-Klip. The re-arrested escapee is linked to the rape incident that occurred earlier that night and further investigation in this regard is still underway.”