Intelligence led operation leads to the arrest of alleged rapist
POTCHEFSTROOM – An intelligence driven operation by Sun City Detectives and Rustenburg Tactical Response Team (TRT), culminated in the arrest of a 31-year-old wanted suspect on Sunday, 19 January 2025.
According to information, observation was kept at Witrandjie village where the team searched for the suspect and found him hiding under the bed. He was arrested and detained for two counts of rape and one of assault common. The first rape case was reported on Sunday, 20 August 2023, in Sun City. It is alleged that a 27-year-old victim visited a tavern in Rustenburg to celebrate her birthday, where she met the suspect.
The next day the suspect invited her and her friend back to the tavern and even arranged transport to fetch them. He then asked her to accompany him to fetch something at home. On their way, he became aggressive, grabbed her cellular phone and raped the woman upon arrival at his house.
The second rape incident was reported on Saturday, 3 August 2024. It is alleged that a 20-year-old woman was driving around with friends, using the suspect’s friends vehicle in Witrandjie Village near Sun City. They all visited a tavern in Phatsima and later went to the suspect’s house where they all went to sleep. Furthermore, the suspect woke up the victim, became aggressive and forcefully took her to another bedroom and raped her.
The assault case was reported during the early hours of Sunday, 26 March 2023. The suspect allegedly assaulted a 32-year-old victim at Ledig village by spraying him with pepper spray and assaulting him with his fists.
The suspect appeared before the Mankwe Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 21 January 2025 and was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on Wednesday, 31 January 2025 for a bail application.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of North West, Major General Patrick Asaneng, congratulated the team for bringing a wanted criminal to justice. He reiterated that the police will continue to ensure that residents of this province are and feel safe at all times.