Tebogo Msimanga |
The police in Limpopo arrested a 33-year-old suspect on Wednesday 28 December 2022, believed to be the serial rapist who has been terrorising the communities of Bolobedu and Tzaneen. The alleged serial rapist was arrested at the Tzaneen CBD after police received a tip-off.
Limpopo Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the police have been investigating at least 7 rape cases that were reported between 2015 and 2016 which they noticed had similar modus operandi.
“Further investigation revealed that the perpetrator targeted unsuspecting women on their way to Tzaneen town who either did not know the area very well or he just offered some assistance and in doing so, he would lure them to secluded areas.The suspect would then rape and rob the victims of their belongings. One of the victims was hacked with a panga during the incident”.
Ledwaba added that the suspect also targeted women hitchhiking on the R71 road near Tzaneen Spur restaurant on the way to Phalaborwa and Giyani”.
The accused briefly appeared at the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on Friday on multiple charges of rape and robbery. He will appear before Bolobedu Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 03 January 2023 and in Tzaneen on 06 January for a formal bail application.
