Police should spare no effort to ensure that the 33-year-old serial rapist accused who escaped from police custody six weeks ago is rearrested and removed from society, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Wednesday.

“As long as the suspect who stole the innocence of the young girls remains at large, other children in our communities are not safe. The sooner he is behind bars, the safer our neighbourhoods,” said Premier Modise in appeals to communities to assist police to trace Boas Jacob Kgatlhane of Thabazimbi.

According to police, Kgatlhane who is supposed to face 13 rape charges in the Limpopo and North West provinces preyed on teenage girls aged between 17 since April 2009 until August 2013 whom he allegedly targeted while they were walking alone.

North West Provincial Spokesperson, Brigadier Thulane Ngubane says that the charges he has to face include one count of rape in Mecklenburg, three counts in Thabazimbi, two in Lethabong (North West) and seven in Letlhabile, near Brits.

Ngubane said that Kgatlhane escaped on September 17 while being escorted from the Brits court after a short appearance, where he was denied bail.

He allegedly kicked open the door of the police vehicle transporting him and bolted when it stopped at a traffic light.

“Though an ongoing operation to recapture Kgatlhane is under way, We request the public not to make any attempts to capture the suspect but to report him to the police,” appealed Ngubane

In the meantime, police are appealing to members of the public who may know of his whereabouts to contact WO Seraka Temane on 0829346275 or Capt Kgaithiue Mafotsa on 0822695175, Crime Stop number 0860010111, Crime Line 32211 or the nearest police station. -TDN
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