By Kopano Dibakwane
A 39 year-old serial rapist was arrested in Witbank for allegedly raping young girls between the ages of 7 and 13. The suspect has been reportedly committing the heinous acts between 2023 and 2023 in Vosman(Witbank).
Police believe that the suspect could have been involved in about 10 rape cases, as well as kidnapping incidents that occurred around Emalahleni, Vosman and Mhluzi.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Lt-Col Jabu Ndubane, the man was arrested while attending court in Vosman for another separate case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm(GBH).
“ Further allegations indicate that the victims were terrorised by a vehicle which was driving around the area of Emalahleni and targeted young girls playing in the streets, where the perpetrator would send them to a tuck shop in order to single them out of other children. The perpetrator would then follow the victim(s), grabbed them and forced them inside the said vehicle. At the end these victims would be sadly raped by the assailant,” said Lt-Col Ndubane.
According to Lt-Col Ndubane, several cases were opened and the FCS (Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences) unit, was assigned to probe the reported cases.
The Acting Mpumalanga Provincial Police Commissioner, Major-General(Dr)Zeph Mkhwanazi, said the victims can now sleep peacefully with the knowledge that the perpetrator has been removed from society.
“ We adamant that the team consisting of Detectives and Prosecutors will ensure that they present a watertight case against the suspect in order to have a conviction,” said General Mkhwanazi.
The suspect will reportedly appear at the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court on Monday 20 January 2025.
