Rape suspect rearrested after escaping custody in KZN

A rape suspect who escaped lawful custody has been re-arrested in Rustenburg in the North West. 

The suspect was initially arrested in Umzimkhulu, KwaZulu-Natal, on September 1, 2025, for rape, but later escaped from custody.

The police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, said the victim managed to escape the clutches of the suspect after he raped her and fell asleep. 

“According to a preliminary report, a 28-year-old woman from Sisulu location was on her way to her cousin's home when the suspect accosted her. He allegedly forced her into a nearby house, where he raped her. The victim reportedly managed to escape while the suspect was asleep and immediately reported the incident to the Umzimkhulu police station. The suspect was arrested later that same day,” van Wyk said. 

Following his escape, a multi-disciplinary team, including members from National Crime Intelligence (Multi-Dimensional Organised Crime), Rustenburg District Crime Intelligence, Phokeng K9 Unit, Kokstad Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, with support from the Rustenburg Community Policing Forum (CPF), was assembled to trace and re-arrest the suspect.

“A tip-off led the team to an identified address in Rustenburg, where the suspect was successfully apprehended in the early hours of Saturday morning. The circumstances surrounding the suspect’s escape form part of ongoing investigations,” van Wyk said. 

Last month, police arrested 2,284 sexual offenders across the country for crimes including rape, sexual assault, abduction, attempted rape, and other related offences.

robin.francke@iol.co.za

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