The Democratic Alliance Women’s Network (DAWN) in Mpumalanga calls on the SAPS in Delmas to put together all resources they have to capture a serial rapist who is terrorising women and children in Botleng Township.
For months now, women and children are living in fear. It has been reported that the rapist targets single mothers, women who stay alone, and young girls who are sent to shops.
The rapist, who is allegedly involved in half a dozen cases since January this year, has been evading arrest from the police.
According to some of his victims, the rapist has a gun and wears working PPE. He also carries a sport bag with him.
His recent attempted rape was on the 25th of July where the suspect followed a woman to her house, forcefully entered her house and tried to rape her. She was saved by community members after she cried out for help. The suspect escaped and the matter has been reported to the police.
Community members who are angry that the police have still not yet arrested the suspect, have started taking the law in their own hands and hunting the rapist themselves. This has unfortunately led to the death of a man who was suspected. Victims of the serial rapist have cleared the man who was killed by the community.
The DA calls on members of the public who might have information to come forward and help the police capture the suspect. This man needs to be arrested soon, appropriately charged and brought before the courts without delay. We also call on the police to make this matter a priority.