Serial rapist who used social media to lure victims arrested

A 38-year-old serial rapist was arrested in relation to over 15 cases of rape committed in the North West.

The serial rapist has been active since September 2021

Provincial South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Colonel Adele Myburgh said a provincial task team arrested the suspect.

ALSO READ: Mpumalanga farmer shoots dead parolee who is a serial housebreaker

The serial rapist was arrested following an investigation that he was active in Potchefstroom, Ikageng and Klerksdorp. Over 15 cases of rape were reported between September 2021 and October 2022.

According to Myburgh, the suspect lured his victims by advertising jobs on social media. His application of choice was Facebook.

The accused reportedly targeted Zimbabwean ladies who spoke Shona.

The suspect was arrested in Alabama

ALSO READ: Serial rapist victims include woman who was carrying her baby

The task team gathered information which led them to an address in Alabama. The suspect was arrested.

He was found in possession of a knife and various cellphone sim cards.

“The team then proceeded to the suspect’s residence in Jouberton, Extension 11, where 11 bags, full of lady’s clothes (suspected to be belonging to victims), 8 cellular phones and more sim cards were also seized,”

said Myburgh.

The rape cases

In one incident reported in Potchefstroom on Thursday, 9 September, a 27-year-old was scheduled to meet a woman.

The woman allegedly promised the 27-year-old a job over WhatsApp. She arrived at a shopping centre close to the taxi rank in Potchefstroom.

ALSO READ: Serial rapist who raped six minors and 5 women gets sentenced

The victim then met with a man as was arranged by the lady she was communicating with.

“She and the man boarded a taxi and alighted at Extension 11, Ikageng. The man allegedly took the woman to a bushy and secluded place, next to the N12 road, where she was ultimately overpowered, strangled, raped and robbed of her personal property,” said Myburg.

The suspect has already made his first court appearance

The alleged serial rapist appeared before the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 20 October. He faces several charges of kidnapping, rape and robbery.

He was remanded in custody and his next court appearance is set for 1 November 2022.

ALSO READ: Limpopo serial rapist gets EIGHT life terms and 100 years