NW police searching for three men wanted for sexual crimes

Police released the identikits of the men on Tuesday afternoon and appealed for the public's assistance in tracing the suspects.

The alleged sexual crimes took place between March and May this year.

In the first case, a man believed to be in his 50s, is wanted for attempted rape after he accosted a 21-year-old woman near the railway line next to Vuselela College in Potchefstroom at around 3 pm on Friday, 8 March.

"[The] victim was walking in an open field, near the railway line, close to Vuselela College in Potchefstroom, when an unknown male asked to accompany her. He then grabbed her and forced her into nearby bushes, but she fought him and managed to escape and call for help," said police spokesperson Amanda Funani.

Police describe the man as very dark in complexion, tall, with short hair, a goatee beard, and scars on the right side of his neck.

Funani says police are also looking for a man after a 34-year-old woman was attacked by a man in his twenties.

According to police, the unknown man offered to escort the victim from a tavern in Sarafina, in Ikageng township, on the afternoon of Saturday, 11 May.

"He allegedly requested her to accompany him home. They were walking, and close to the Sarafina taxi rank at an open field when the man suddenly became aggressive. He assaulted the victim and ultimately raped her."

Funani explains the third case: "On Monday, 1 April 2024, at about 7:30 pm, a 45-year-old victim was walking in Extension 2, Tshing, in Ventersdorp to visit her boyfriend. She was approached by two unknown men who overpowered her, and one of them raped her.

"The man is dark in complexion, with dark eyes, medium in height, slenderly built, and has a bald head. He is estimated to be in his twenties or younger."

Identikit images of the suspects have been published on the SAPS online platforms.

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