Manhunt launched for suspected serial rapist after escape from police custody
KZN police are looking for a suspected serial rapist who escaped from police custody
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A fresh manhunt has been launched for a suspected serial rapist who's on the run after escaping from police custody in Mariannhill.
The alleged rapist had been terrorising learners of a high school in Nkandla which is renowned for its impressive matric results. It's alleged five learners had been raped at their rented cottages.
The Sunday Tribune has chosen not to name the school.
Following a meeting on Sunday, some parents decided to remove their children from the school, fearing for their safety.
The suspect was apprehended in Tshelimnyama, Mariannhill, after a manhunt by Nkandla taxi operators who are members of the Bhekisizwe Taxi Association, who handed over the suspect to the SAPS at Mariannhill Police Station.
KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said that they were searching for the suspect who escaped from police custody on Monday night.
“The suspect, who was arrested by Mariannhill police for several rape cases in the Ekhombe policing area, was to be transported to a correctional facility when he complained of an asthma attack and fainted.
“While police were busy assisting him, the suspect escaped and ran into the darkness. A dedicated team has been established to hunt him down,” said Netshiunda.
The ward councillor, Philani Ngubane, said he was aware of two rape incidents.
"The recent one happened last week, where a learner who was renting in one of the houses near the school was using a toilet outside the house around 4am, because of a runny tummy. When she got out, she found the suspect waiting for her, and he raped her," said Ngubane.
He said a previous incident involved two learners whose rented cottage was broken into, and the suspect accosted them in a bush. One of the learners managed to run but was injured. The one who couldn't escape was raped," said Ngubane.
He said the suspect was the same in both incidents.
Ngubane said there was a meeting between parents, community members, cottage landlords, school management, community policing forum, and the police.
"Some of the parents were satisfied with the response from the police but asked for letters of referral for their children so that they can leave the school," said Ngubane.
He said the parents who wanted their children to leave school were from far away places and were adamant that they would not leave their children at the mercy of the rapist.
Some of the parents said the rapist was targeting their children because they were not from the area.
"The landlords expressed their concern with what's happening as it's taking place in their properties. If you have ten cottages and you have six parents moving their kids out, you are left with four children," said Ngubane.