A 34-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly raping and robbing 14 women he met on social media platform Facebook.
He allegedly lured them with job promises around Tzaneen in Limpopo.
Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo said it is alleged that the suspect committed these crimes in Pharare, Mogophong, Mogoloboto and Burgersdorp villages.
“The female victims aged between 22 and 46 were reportedly lured by the suspect, who falsely advertised non-existent domestic and security employment opportunities on social media [Facebook] platform.”
Some of the desperate victims travelled from as far as KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho.
“The suspect patiently waited for the unsuspecting victims at taxi ranks and bus terminals,” Mojapelo said.
The crimes were committed between July last year and August.
Mojapelo said that on the women's arrival, he would make some excuses and walk with the victims using a road that passes through the bush.
“He would then ultimately rape and rob them of their belongings and then flee the scene. The suspect was sought for 14 cases of rape and robbery that took place in the said villages. The cases were later transferred to the Tzaneen family violence and child protection unit.
“The team worked tirelessly and managed to track down the suspect within a period of three months. He was arrested on Saturday at Letaba Hospital after he was admitted with a gunshot wound allegedly sustained in Burgersdorp village, near a graveyard, on November 2,” Mojapelo said.
Police said the suspect is expected to appear in the Tzaneen magistrate's court soon after his recovery at the hospital.
Provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Thembi Hadebe has expressed gratitude and appreciation for the sterling work that was executed by the Tzaneen unit after the arrest of a highly wanted suspect.
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