By Obakeng Maje

Brits-North West police have re-arrested an alleged serial rapist, Jacob Kgatlhane(32) on Friday for allegedly escaping from lawful custody on 17 September 2013.

 

“It is alleged that the accused was initially arrested on 13 August 2013 on 13 charges of rape committed in the areas of Letlhabile, Limpopo and Lethabong near Brits, which were committed between 2009 and 2012” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said. 

 

The alleged victims were between 14 and 17 years. Some of the victims were raped and robbed of their belongings when they were on their way to school.

 

According to the information, the suspect escaped from the police van when he was transported from court to the cells after his appearance. 

 

“It is alleged that the suspect kicked open the backdoor of the police vehicle at the robots in Letlhabile. The police tried to chase after the suspect and he managed to escape” Ngubane said. 

 

 

The accused was at large until he was re-arrested on Friday at about 23:00.

 

 

 

“The accused has been hiding at the nearby bushes at Zone 6 in Letlhabile township and was arrested as a result of community participation who assisted the police in tracing him. Information has it that the suspect was frequently visiting a shack in zone 10 for food and refreshing” police said.

 

 

 

Ngubane said after the suspect was arrested, police had to ensure that the relevant and the right person has been arrested.

 

 

“This had to be done through confirmation of his fingerprints and other relevant information” he said. 

 

 

The suspect will appear at the Brits Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of Escaping from Lawful custody .

 

 

 

The police would like to thank the community and the media houses that assisted in the tracing and re-arrest of this dangerous accused rapist. 

 

 

“Partnership policing is the key in solving crime in our community” said Ngubane.-TDN

 

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