A manhunt has been launched for a man suspected of raping and robbing a 20-year-old woman in April, and robbing a 29-year-old man in November.
On 2 November the male victim, who lives in Rheederspark, Welkom, was at a hiking spot next to Nandos in Stateway, Welkom, when he was given a lift by occupants of a white Toyota Tazz. There were two African males and an African female in the vehicle.
The driver took them in the direction of the R30 road where one of the suspects pointed a handgun at the victim and robbed him of cash and his bank card. A case of robbery was registered for further investigation.
One of the occupants of the vehicle was dark in complexion, which leads the police to believe that he could be the same suspect from a kidnapping and rape case that happened in Thabong in April.
On 18 April a 20-year-old woman boarded a taxi (a white Toyota Tazz) near the Marumo tavern on her way to the Tshepo Themba Finishing School.
The driver and a male passenger were in the vehicle when she entered. The male passenger was dropped off at the Boitumelo Junction Mall in Thabong.
The driver then stopped under the tunnel between Oppenheimer Park and Las Vegas, Thabong. He produced a firearm and demanded money from the woman and her cellphone. They fought for the cellphone but she was overpowered and raped.
The suspect is an African male. He is tall, slim, dark in complexion, and has long dread locks. A case of rape and robbery were registered for further investigation.
“A manhunt has been launched to trace the occupants of a white Toyota Tazz, who are on a robbing and raping spree in Welkom. Residents are sternly warned to use real taxis and they are also discouraged from hiking as it is dangerous,” says Capt. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the Lejweleputswa police.
Anyone with information that will lead to the arrests of these suspects, must contact the Welkom police on 079-886-5574, the Thabong Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit on 082-375-6355, or Crime Stop at 08600-10111.
