Free State police have arrested a 55-year-old man believed to be linked to a series of rapes and robberies in Welcome, Thabong and Bloemfontein over more than two decades.
“The suspect’s flight from the law ended recently after he allegedly assaulted a 21-year-old female victim,” police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli said on Thursday.
The victim was walking home from Bloemfontein through Magengenene cemetery when she was attacked and raped. Community members arrested the alleged attacker and handed him over to Mangaung police.
“Preliminary investigation has revealed a disturbing pattern of deception. The suspect allegedly posed as a ‘prophet’ and claimed that his ancestors required the victims to perform cemetery rituals.”
Once at the Magaange cemetery, he convinced the victims to undress for ‘cleansing’.
He cut the victims’ hair and burned it on a nearby grave, then raped the victims. He would also rob them of their mobile phones, claiming that ‘witches’ would use the devices to track them.
“Investigative work and DNA profiling have since linked the 55-year-old to seven additional cases of rape and theft – five in Mangaung and two in Welcome. The forensic evidence links him to crimes dating back to 1999,” Kareli said.
Records show the suspect was on parole when he was scheduled to resume his criminal activities in 2022.
“The recent attack on the cemetery is the eighth case now officially linked to his name.”
The suspect is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein District Court soon on multiple charges of rape and theft.
The police suspect that there are more victims who have not yet come forward. Anyone who has been victimized in a similar way should contact Detective Constable Bessie Nthoba on 082 886 8979, or call the Crime Stop tip-off line on 08600 10111, or report to their nearest police station.
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