/ 2 October 2007

String of rapes reported in Mpumalanga

Mpumalanga’s organised crime unit has arrested five men following a string of rapes in the province over the weekend. More arrests are expected.

The unit’s spokesperson, Captain Leonard Hlathi, said on Tuesday that 27 rapes were reported throughout the province at the weekend.

Expressing concern at the high number of rapes, Hlathi added none of the cases were linked — but that all had a common thread.

”Most of the cases were reported in Calcutta, Hazyview and Masoyi and have one thing in common — the victims were either going home from taverns, or they were lured by their attackers after a night of drinking at taverns.”

The five arrested men are expected to appear in different courts in Mpumalanga on Tuesday. Hlathi said police were working on making more arrests.

He urged women who go to taverns to be extra vigilant. – Sapa