LIMPOPO – The 25-year-old man who appeared before the Giyani Magistrate’s Court on seven charges of burglary on 25 May, has now been linked to 18 cases of rape. A forensic investigations commenced after he was arrested in February for several cases of burglary in the Giyani policing area.

He was denied bail and his case was postponed to 1 July for further police investigation.

Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo said in a statement that the man terrorised community members in and around the Thohoyandou, Giyani, Makhado and Tzaneen clusters since 2014.

Mojapelo added that the man is also believed to have raped women between the ages of 19 and 90.

“His modus operandi included attacking unsuspecting victims while he collected fire wood in the nearby bushes. He then assaulted and raped them,” the statement said.

Mojapelo said one of the incidents happened in the early hours of January 2014 at a village in Vuwani.

“An elderly woman (90) who stays with her daughter-in-law was raped. The suspect knocked at the house pretending to be the victim’s grandson. When she opened the door, he grabbed and raped her and thereafter fled the scene,” he said.

The man appeared before the Giyani Magistrate’s Court today for the charges of rape. He was remanded in custody until 27 July for further police investigations.