Alleged social media rapist arrested in Queenstown

Queenstown FCS (Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences) have spearheaded an operation that led to the arrest of a 32-year-old man accused of being a so-called ‘social media rapist’.

An interdepartmental operation saw the man tracked down and linked to a string of rapes across the country, according to the South African Police Service.

Police unlocked the case with the help of a 17-year-old girl who alleges that the man lured her into a meeting with the promise of modelling work before he perpetrated a sexual attack.

Teamwork helps police apprehend alleged social media rapist

“A great team effort and well-coordinated collaboration by the Queenstown FCS, Crime Intelligence, K9 and Flying squad members, assisted by Red Guard Security pulled a successful effort resulting in the arrest of a social media rapist on 19 May 2020,” said SAPS Spokesperson Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana. 

“The 32-year-old man is suspected of being behind a series of rapes that were committed after unsuspecting victims were lured through social media under the disguise and a promise for work as a model.

“The arrest followed after a 17-year-old was allegedly raped at Warner Street, Queenstown. A rape case was opened at Queenstown SAPS on 18 May 2020 at about 15:30.

“The rape happened after the 17-year-old victim saw an advert on Facebook about photoshoots for young girls who wanted to work and be paid as models. The victim was given a date, 18 May 2020 at 14:00 as the time for her photoshoot.

“She attended the photoshoot alone with the suspect after other models left. During the photoshoot, it is when the suspect allegedly raped the victim. Although the victim did not know the suspect, she said she was able to identify him.”

The alleged social media rapist is said to have used several different Facebook profiles under a number of aliases and travelled across the country.

Once police established the man’s real identity it became clear that he was already wanted for multiple rape cases.

“Police managed to get the real identity of the suspect and under his police profile there were already several rape cases pending against him,” Brigadier Kinana said.

“Through police intelligence, the suspect was intercepted while traveling from Umtata to King Williams Town on 19 May 2020. In his possession was a false doctor’s note that aided him to travel around as well as a laptop, camera, memory cards and a cellphone.”

SAPS have also levelled charges of fraud and contravention of lockdown after he was arrested at Kei Bridge. He was subsequently detained in Queenstown.

“The suspect is believed to have visited a lot of towns and in each opened a Facebook account he later used it as a launching pad for his criminal traps and schemes,” Brigadier Kinana added.

“Police are also of the view that there must be a lot of other cases unreported or pending under the suspect’s name or under investigation by other stations and FCS Units all over South Africa, especially from cases that emanated from the Facebook accounts.”

The suspect was expected to appear at the Queenstown Magistrate’s Court on 21 May 2020.

Anyone who may have information about the suspect or wants to come forward with any other intel can contact the Investigating Officer attached to Queenstown FCS, Sergeant Vizicelo Ludidi on 071 352 5252.