Serial rapist on the loose in Letlhakane
Pini Bothoko | Tuesday January 25, 2022 06:00
He allegedly pounces on women prepared for the action either dressed in a sleeping gown with nothing underneath or a boxer short and in possession of condoms. To date, about 11 rape cases have been recorded since the festive season. Letlhakane police’s acting station commander, assistant superintendent Tsholofelo Masole revealed that most of the cases are prevalent in Mokgobelele ward.
She said looking at the method of operation, it appears that one person is involved. Masole added that the trend in the area started during the festive season where they recorded a string of cases in a space of two days with the number increasing until to date. “This culprit targets and attacks early in the morning at around 2am-3am, threatens women with a knife and rapes them.
This lad, who is described as skinny, threatens his victims that if they attempt to scream he will kill them. It is said that this man speaks English with a Zimbabwean accent,” she said.
Masole stated that most of his victims are women in their 20s and 30s and it appears he targets women who stay alone. She added that he chooses his prey strategically, most likely observe their movements before he could strike because he usually targets those that sleep alone. “We suspect that this rapist might be living in their vicinity. We are recently investigating a case in which he attacked two young women who were sleeping together and raped both of them.
He usually forces entry through the window or the door when his victims are fast asleep and rapes them,” Masole said.
Moreover, Masole urged women to be extra vigilant for strange or unfamiliar people in their surroundings as they suspect that there is an armed serial rapist on the loose in the area. She further said they are now patrolling the streets for the safety of women.