DNA evidence links man in custody to nearly 60 rape cases
The police in Gauteng have linked a man in police custody to nearly 60 rape cases in Ekurhuleni.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says the team, which was established in 2018 to search for the suspect, made a breakthrough arrest on March 17.
“Following his arrest, a DNA report has linked the suspect in police custody to these rape cases which were reported as far back as 2012 in various policing precincts including Batho, Crystal Park, Daveyton, Etwatwa and Putfontein police stations.
“Since his arrest, several victims have come forward with additional information to assist the team’s investigations,” says Mathe.
Mathe says the suspect could possibly be linked to more cases.
“While the team is still hard at work in analysing the suspect’s modus operadi, through the Investigative Psychology Sectionthe possibility of linking this suspect to additional cases cannot be ruled out at this stage. With the inclusion of the analysis of the modus operandi, the suspect could possibly be linked to approximately 40 other cases, thus bringing a total number of cases to nearly 100 cases against these alleged sexual offences perpetrator.
The suspect is due to appear again in absentia in the Daveyton Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Mathe says he was shot and injured at the time when he was attempting to evade arrest.
The suspect is still in hospital under police guard.
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