A suspected serial rapist who had allegedly terrorised teenage girls in Limpopo for weeks found himself in a hospital bed on Christmas Day, thanks to the extraordinary bravery of one of his intended victims. The 20-year-old suspect, arrested by the Tzaneen Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, had allegedly used Facebook to lure his victims.
For weeks, the man had targeted girls aged between 14 and 16, using Facebook to arrange meetings at Kgapane Plaza. He would then lead them to a secluded area in Manningburg, where he robbed them of cash and cellphones before allegedly assaulting them. His reign of terror, however, came to an abrupt end when he encountered a young woman who refused to become another victim.
According to provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, the suspect ambushed his latest victim as she walked to a friend's house in Ga-Kgapane village. Following his usual pattern, he blindfolded her and attempted to drag her towards Manningburg. However, this time, the young woman fought back fiercely. In a struggle, she managed to overpower him, leaving him with severe injuries.
“The suspect was arrested while at the Kgapane Hospital, where he was admitted after being attacked by one of the victims in self-defence,” Brigadier Mashaba explained. “During the arrest, he was found in possession of a fake identity document. The police also recovered some of the cash and cellphones from the robberies.”
The arrest of the suspect revealed further concerning details. Preliminary investigations indicated that he was already out on bail for a similar case involving a 14-year-old victim in September. This highlights the urgent need for stricter measures to prevent repeat offences and protect vulnerable young people.
The incident has prompted a strong warning from Limpopo Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, who expressed deep concern about the dangers of social media.
“Young women must exercise caution when interacting with strangers online. Platforms like Facebook can pose significant safety risks,” she stated, urging caution and responsible online behaviour.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on Friday, facing charges of robbery, assault, and fraud related to the fake identity document found in his possession. Police are appealing to any other victims of the suspect to come forward and report their experiences. This will assist in building a stronger case against the accused and ensuring that justice is served.