Cops probe rapes linked to social media

Eight rape cases where social media platforms were used to befriend the victims – over a six-month period – are under investigation in Port Elizabeth.

According to police, most of the cases are believed to be unrelated, sparking fears that sexual predators have devised new ways to lure victims to isolated areas.

This was revealed yesterday after a 34-year-old man, who allegedly used Facebook to befriend his victim, was arrested in Kwazakhele.

The accused, who can be named only after pleading in court, appeared in the Motherwell Magistrates Court on Wednesday. According to police, in all eight cases, the victims range in ages from 18 to 25 and mainly live in Motherwell and Kwazakhele.

Police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge said the latest arrest, two weeks ago, had sparked detectives to consolidate their investigations. The matter is being investigated by the Motherwell Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit.

“A preliminary investigation has revealed that over the past six months there have been eight cases where social media has been used to lure their victims,” he said. In most cases, Facebook was used as the preferred medium to meet victims. “In all eight cases the victims were sent friend requests and unknowingly befriended the men. They then strike up a conversation and over months win the trust of their victims.

“Over time they then request a meeting. The location is usually an isolated area or at their home during a time of day when no one is around and the neighbours are at work.”

Years ago sexual predators were using Mxit to find victims.

“It does appear that various recent social media platforms are being used as opposed [to Mxit],” Beetge added. “In all of these cases, the suspects have created fake profiles and use these profiles to appear as genuine and successful businessmen.

“In most, but not all of the cases, the girls give their addresses to the men, who then claim to send someone to their home to fetch them for a date.

“The women are driven to secluded areas and raped, sometimes at knife- or gunpoint.”

In the most recent arrest, Beetge said, the man had allegedly raped a 25-year-old woman inside his Kwazakhele home after months of befriending her.

“The suspect was arrested on the same day he allegedly raped her, August 27,” he said.

After allegedly raping the woman, the man had let her go and she had gone to the local police station, where the matter was reported, Beetge said.

“The woman led police to the address and the suspect was arrested.”

Beetge added that the woman had been in conversation with her alleged attacker since July.

“He baited her for months and struck up a conversation with her every day.”

The man will remain in custody until September 27, when he is due to reappear in the same court. The latest reported attack happened in Motherwell at 4pm on Sunday.

“A 27-year-old woman had been lured into a conversation with a man for months. “During the conversations he offered to fetch her on Sunday for a date. At the last moment he claimed that he was busy and would send his uncle to collect her,” Beetge added.

“At this stage we suspect that the supposed uncle is actually the Facebook stalker, hiding behind fake profiles of being a businessman.” No other arrests in the other cases have been made.

Cluster commander Major- General Dawie Rabie appealed to anyone making use of social media to not fall victim to such scams.

“These predators are preying on naive young women. It is important that people stay alert and do not befriend those on any social media platform whom they do not know.”

Rabie said a team of detectives at the FCS unit were following up leads and more arrests were expected. Anyone with information can contact FCS detective Captain Shaun Harmse on 082 442 1232