A 20-year-old man arrested for luring teenage girls on Facebook and raping them in Limpopo
On Christmas Day, police in Limpopo arrested a 20-year-old man who had been allegedly luring teenage girls through Facebook and then raping them in bushes.
The Tzaneen Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit made the arrest after receiving reports of several rape incidents involving girls aged 14 to 16 in the Modjadjiskloof and Bolobedu policing areas since the beginning of December 2024.
Modus Operandi of the Alleged Serial Rapist
The suspect would use Facebook to convince his victims to meet him at Kgapane Plaza. From there, he would lead them to bushes near Manningburg, where he would rape and rob them of their belongings, including cash and cellphones.
One of the victims was attacked while walking to her friend’s house in Ga-Kgapane village. The suspect blindfolded her, dragged her to the crime scene in Manningburg, raped her, and then stole her cash and cellphone.
However, in one instance, a victim managed to defend herself and the suspect ended up at Kgapane Hospital, where the police were able to apprehend him. During the arrest, the police found him in possession of a fake identity document, as well as some of the stolen cash and cellphones, which were recovered.
Previous Offenses
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was out on bail for another rape case involving a 14-year-old girl that occurred in September 2024, where he used a similar modus operandi.
Community Safety Warning
Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the Limpopo provincial police commissioner, has cautioned community members, especially young women, about the dangers of interacting with strangers on social media platforms like Facebook. She emphasized the importance of being cautious and vigilant to ensure their safety.
Another incident on Christmas Day involved a 37-year-old suspect who was caught in the act of raping a 30-year-old woman near a local river in Kanana village. The community intervened, rescued the victim, and apprehended the suspect before handing him over to the police.
Court Appearance
Both suspects will be appearing before the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court for their respective charges. The community’s swift action in both cases highlights the importance of community involvement in ensuring the safety and security of all individuals.
