Serial rapist suspect arrested

AN ALLEGED serial rapist was arrested in Hermanus, police said.

Captain FC van Wyk said: “During the period September 2015 to March 2018, a suspected serial rapist has been operating in the Zwelihle, Hermanus, area. During March 2016 the dockets were handed over to the serial and electronic crimes investigations FCS (family violence, child protection and sexual offences) unit for further investigation.

“By that time there were five cases with the same modus operandi. All the cases were linked with the same DNA. The identity of the suspect was unknown. According to the victims an unknown male in his mid- to late-20s approached them while they were walking alone in the Zwelihle informal settlement,” Van Wyk said.

“He then forced them, mostly with a knife, to walk with him to a deserted area where they were robbed and raped. Most of the crime scenes were at an old dumping area known as the ‘MOP’. In most cases the suspect had a balaclava or stocking over his face.”

Over the following months, similar cases were reported. On March 3, another rape was reported with the same modus operandi. On March 4 members of the police in Hermanus were on patrol when they spotted a suspicious man in the vicinity of the “MOP”. They arrested the 29-year-old man and detained him at Hermanus in connection with the latest rape case. He was found in possession of a balaclava, a stocking, a knife and a roll of toilet paper, Van Wyk said.

“Due to a lack of evidence he was subsequently released. Fortunately a buccal swab was taken from him and sent to the forensic science laboratory. On (May 24) the DNA result linked the suspect to 11 cases. The next day the suspect was arrested and appeared in Hermanus court on (May 28) for his first appearance. The case was postponed to (today),” Van Wyk said. – African News Agency (ANA)