Authorities launch investigation into potential serial rape case following teen's arrest

Authorities are actively investigating a potential serial rape case following the arrest of a 19-year-old male suspect for the alleged assault of a 16-year-old girl at Acornhoek in Mpumalanga.

The incident occurred on March 17, 2025, as the victim was returning home from church and en route to a nearby school for additional lessons.

According to reports, the young girl encountered the suspect during her walk.

He allegedly threatened her with a knife before committing the assault and fleeing the scene.

The victim promptly reported the incident to the police, who subsequently launched a rape investigation. The Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit has taken charge of the case.

The swift arrest of the suspect was made possible with the help of community members.

Preliminary investigations indicate that he may be linked to other similar rape incidents in the area. As the inquiry continues, additional charges could be forthcoming, and investigators are exploring the possibility that the suspect could be connected to a series of sexual assaults.

The suspect is set to appear in the Acornhoek Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkwanazi, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, expressed gratitude to the community for their vital role in providing information that led to the suspect's quick capture.

"In the third quarter of the 2024/2025 Crime Statistics, we noted a general decrease in crime across the province; however, rape cases have remained a persistent issue. The FCS Team is diligently working to tackle this challenge, and we are grateful for their efforts yielding positive outcomes. We believe that the arrest of this suspect will help resolve other unresolved rape cases in the Acornhoek area,” stated the General.

kim.kay@iol.co.za

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