Staff Reporter
A 32-year-old Free State man who allegedly raped a woman he met on Facebook has been arrested after he fell into a police trap as he attempted to see his victim one more time.
Police say the man, from Odendaalsrus, lured the woman, aged 25, to travel from her home in Welkom and visit him for their first date on Saturday.
According to provincial police spokesperson Colonel Thandi Mbambo, the two are said to have met in Odendaalsrus as planned but the woman never got a clear identity of the man as he was wearing a face mask all the time.
This might not have surprised her as it is requirement for everyone to wear a face mask when out in public in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the meeting turned nasty when the man suddenly made some advances towards her and dragged her into some bushes where he allegedly raped her.
“He pulled her towards nearby bushes at the back of Khotsong Primary School on an open field where he raped her, threatening her with a knife during the process,” Mbambo said in a statement Sunday afternoon.
Out of what could be described as cold courtesy, the man gave the woman R20 to catch a taxi back home after allegedly raping her.
The woman then went to Kutlwanong police station to report the incident.
But while still there, the alleged rapist called her on her cell phone to apologise for what he had done.
The man also asked the woman if he could see her again.
The woman agreed and a trap was set by the police.
“The suspect was tracked strategically on foot from the K9 vicinity of Lengoeleng up until Block 1 near Dhlamini’s Tavern where the apprehension was finally done,” the police spokesperson said.
The suspect was found in possession of the cellphone that he used to chat with the victim as well as a black beanie (woollen hat) and black hand gloves.
The alleged scene was also visited and other exhibits were obtained to be taken for forensic examination.
The man was immediately arrested and charged with rape.
He is expected to appear in the Odendaalsrus Magistrates Court on Monday.
Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane has urged women to be careful when using social media, saying sex predators use the medium to lure and pounce on unsuspecting victims.