- A man linked to 14 rape and robbery cases has been arrested.
- He allegedly lured women with fake job adverts on Facebook.
- He was caught after being admitted to hospital with a gunshot wound.
Limpopo police arrested an alleged serial rapist after he was admitted to hospital.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the "highly wanted suspect" was arrested in connection with 14 cases of rape and robbery that were committed between July 2020 and August 2021.
The man, aged 34, allegedly lured women through Facebook posts by falsely advertising work opportunities for domestic workers and security guards. Women aged 22 to 46 were targeted.
"It is alleged that the suspect committed these despicable acts in the Tzaneen policing area, in the Mopani district, at Pharare, Mogophong, Mogoloboto and Burgersdorp villages," said Mojapelo.
Some of the victims travelled from as far as KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho.
"The suspect patiently waited for the unsuspecting victims at taxi ranks and bus terminals. On their arrival, he would make some excuse and walk with the victims, utilising a road that passes through the bush... He would ultimately rape and rob them of their belongings and then flee the scene," said Mojapelo.
The investigation team tracked him down after he was admitted to hospital with a gunshot wound, allegedly sustained near a graveyard in the Burgersdorp village last week. The circumstances of the shooting were not clear at the time of publication.
The man was arrested at Letaba Hospital in Tzaneen on Saturday.
He is expected to appear in the Tzaneen Magistrate's Court soon after his recovery. Investigations were continuing, Mojapelo said.
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