
Witbank, Mpumalanga- A 39-year-old man was apprehended on suspicion of being a serial rapist who targeted young girls between the ages of seven and thirteen in Witbank , on Sunday.
According to the statement released by the South African Police Service (SAPS) , the suspect was arrested while attending court in Vosman for another separate case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) Gender-Based Violence incident. Police investigations revealed a disturbing pattern of behavior, with the suspect allegedly driving around Emalahleni and singling out minors playing on the streets.
He would lure them to a nearby tuck shop and forcibly abduct them in his vehicle before raping them. These incidents are believed to have occurred between 2023 and 2024.
The Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences(FSC) reportedly conducted a thorough investigation, carefully putting together evidence from several rape cases. The team managed to find a link between the cases , indicating the presence of a serial predator.
Authorities suspect the arrested individual may have also been involved in about ten rape cases as well as kidnapping incidents in the Emalahleni, Vosman , and Mhluzi areas.
Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi commended the police team for the success and for ensuring safety of the victims with the knowledge that the suspect has been caught.
We are adamant that the team consisting of Detectives and Prosecutors will ensure they present a watertight case against the suspect in order to have conviction.
The suspect is set to appear in Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court on Monday , 20 January 2025.