Africa-Press – South-Africa. North West police arrested a man on a firearm charge after acting on a tip-off that he was looking for a buyer for a gun, but later linked him to the rape of at least eight women in Klipgat.
The man was arrested at his home in Sofasonke section on Thursday after a pistol was found in his possession.
He faces several charges of rape, house robbery, attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The man, 39, allegedly targeted women who walked from taverns in Klipgat and raped them. The victims were aged 23 to 38.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said the first rape incident was reported in 2021.
The suspect was initially arrested on a firearm charge on Thursday after police followed up on information that he was trying to sell the gun and ammunition. He was later linked to the spate of rapes, Funani added.
Funani said during the arrest, the suspect was found in possession of a pistol.
“Following preliminary crime scene investigations, it came out that the man was a wanted alleged serial rapist who evaded arrest for the past two years. Reportedly, the suspect targeted and raped women who walked home from taverns in Klipgat in the early morning hours.
“According to information, he would also rob his victims of their personal belongings,” she said.
Funani said the man led the police to his other home in Dubai section in Mabopane, Gauteng, where an AK-47 with 33 bullets, three magazines and 25 pistol bullets were found hidden in a shack.
The man is expected to appear in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
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