/ 17 May 2005

‘Chicken’ back in the coop

Free State police have clipped the wings of a cross-dresser nicknamed ”Chicken”, putting an end to his alleged reign of terror in Mangaung and Botshabelo.

Acting on a tip-off, a task team — specially formed to hunt him down — arrested Lebohang Seobi (25) shortly after 5pm on Monday, said Free State police spokesperson Inspector Harry Nagel.

He had been waiting for someone to pick him up on the Jagersfontein Road, he said.

Among the 17 charges pending against Seobi are counts of rape, armed robbery, assault, housebreaking and resisting arrest.

Police said Chicken used ”crafty tactics” to escape from custody on March 7 following an appearance in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court.

A R20 000 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

Chicken allegedly usually robbed and assaulted his victims, then gave them a message to pass on the police, taunting them to catch him.

He is believed to have evaded capture by disguising himself — sometimes as a woman. — Sapa