…Researched and contributed by Solomon Thomas.
South African police are searching for an alleged Facebook rapist who is accused of catfishing and robbing an 18-year-old girl in Mpumalanga.
The incident occurred on April 9th. According to Brigadier Slevy Mohlala, a spokesperson for the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga, the victim from Ntunda received a friend request from the suspect and after accepting the invite, they started chatting on Facebook in February 2023.
Their conversation led to arranging a date for Easter Sunday.
Catfished and Raped in the Bushes
The victim alleged that the suspect requested her to meet him at Mgobodi bushes after 7 pm.
She took a taxi and while on her way, they constantly communicated.
The suspect kept assuring her that she would find him at the bus shelter.
The victim arrived at Mgobodi at around 8 pm but found someone else who introduced himself as someone sent by her friend to pick her up.
The situation was no longer as per agreement when she arrived.
Out of suspicion, the victim asked why they were heading towards the bushes, and the suspect informed her that it was a shortcut to her friend’s residence.
Once they were in the bushes, the suspect instructed her to undress and raped her before robbing her of her cell phone and then leaving her stranded.
The victim later recalled her male friend’s voice which sounded exactly like the suspect’s, leading her to believe that her Facebook friend had raped her.
Manhunt for the Suspect
The Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit are investigating the case, but no one has been arrested.
Mpumalanga Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, condemned the incident, and warned communities about the risks associated with online dating, as it could place their lives in danger or have negative repercussions for those involved in it.
Commentary
This disturbing incident highlights the risks of online dating and social media interactions.
It is essential to exercise caution and use common sense when engaging with strangers online.
The victim in this case was catfished and eventually raped and robbed, and it serves as a reminder that not everyone you meet online is who they claim to be.
The police must find the alleged Facebook rapist and bring him to justice to prevent further harm to innocent people.
The public should also be vigilant and report any suspicious activity or individuals to the authorities to keep themselves and others safe.
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