By Obakeng Maje

PRETORIA– The Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa today commended the police, for their ‘never give up spirit’ in pursuit of a serial rape suspect who has been committing various murder and rape crimes around the Tongaat area, in KwaZulu-Natal.  

The suspect was arrest in the early hours of this morning.

Over the past few months, there have been five murder cases of women that were investigated, who were all lured by a particular suspect through promising to offer them job opportunities. 

“The victims were then raped and murdered around the bushes in the Tongaat area in KwaZulu-Natal” minister spokesperson Zweli Mnisi said.

As the investigation continued, a girl who was an accomplice to the prime suspect was arrested last month, whilst the prime suspect has been on the run ever since.  “Between last night and this morning a team of police investigators, assisted by the Crime Intelligence team narrowed down the search to Port Elizabeth, where suspect was arrested at 3am this morning” Mnisi said.

“As the police leadership we want to commend our police officers who worked tirelessly over the past months. Their never give up spirit led to this arrest” Minister Nathi Mthethwa said. 

Mthethwa said the arrest further testimony of what they have been emphasizing that, through integrated approach of working together as different units within South African Police Service (SAPS), they shall ensure that those who commit crimes are apprehended.  “Through specialized investigations police will be able to move beyond arresting such perpetrators but move towards securing harshest sentences.”

“As government we remain resolute in ensuring that perpetrators of crimes against women, children and the elderly are heavily punished. That is why in 2009, I instructed that we re-establish the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences units, to specifically investigate such crimes” Minister said.  

To date since its re-launching this unit has trained specialized police officers and to deal with crimes such as rape.  

“In addition, we continue to prioritize capacitating of detectives so that we can ensure that we secure harsher convictions in courts,” added the Minister.

The suspect has already been linked to three cases of murder as well as rape. The investigating team has already taken various samples from the victims’ bodies and these have been transmitted to SAPS forensics, for further verification. 

The investigation continues and the suspect is expected to appear at the Verulam Magistrate Court on Tuesday.

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