An alleged serial rapist linked to at least twelve cases since 2015 has been arrested in Limpopo. The 30-year-old suspect and his accomplice terrorised women in Mecklenburg, Tubatse, Burgersfort and Driekop in Ga-Sekhukhune.

Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said in one of the incidents in May 2017, a 14-years-old girl from Selala village in Mecklenburg took a taxi with two male occupants. "She was surprised to see a taxi passing by the place she was supposed to get off at even after informing the driver. They drove until they arrived in the bush, and she tried to escape but was chased until she was caught and assaulted by the two. They both raped her. It is reported that the suspects in all the cases targeted, and gang raped young and middle-aged females without condoms, threatening them with a firearm and a knife," Ledwaba said. In another incident, a 26-year-old woman from Mashamthane village was allegedly raped by three suspects on the 27 October 2020. On the day, she allegedly visited her friend at a nearby village and on her way back home, she met with three unknown men and was forcefully dragged into the bushes where she was repeatedly gang raped.

The Provincial serial and electronic crime investigation unit conducted an operation on Friday afternoon which led to the arrest of the suspect. The outstanding two suspects are still on the run. Ledwaba said the suspect was linked to the rapes committed between 2015 and 2022 through DNA. "The suspect will appear before Mecklenburg Magistrates Court soon facing twelve charges of rape. Police investigations are continuing," Ledwaba said.