Frank Maponya
Frank Maponya
The recent arrest of an alleged serial killer in Modimolle, Limpopo, came as a result of random DNA tests conducted on several men in the town.
The man was arrested in Lwamondo in the Vuwani area near Thohoyandou on Friday morning.
Provincial police commissioner Calvin Sengani said a task team established to investigate the serial killings in Modimolle had led to the arrest of the 45-year-old man last week.
Though Sengani would not reveal the exact circumstances leading to the man's arrest, he expressed confidence that they had apprehended the right suspect.
The man was sought in connection with a spate of rapes and murders in Modimolle between 2004 and 2008.
The recently arrested man is expected to appear in the Modimolle magistrate's court today on kidnapping, murder, indecent assault and abuse charges.
Sengani said on April 10 last month, the police cordoned off a section of Phahameng Location and took blood samples for DNA testing to find who was responsible for the killings.
The samples were linked to DNA tests done on the bodies of seven children and one adult found. Three children are still missing.
"We are absolutely confident that we have arrested the right person this time," said Sengani.
He said they had relied heavily on the forensic investigations.
Police had earlier arrested another man for the deaths. He was arrested in Vuwani on January 19 but had to be released two months later after the state could not link him to the crimes.
A reward of R250000 was offered for information.
These are the victims:
l Matshidiso Greycia Makhubela, 3, went missing on September 12 2006. Her body was found a day later. She had been raped.
l Rosina Malete, 8, went missing with her brother, Petrus, 11, on March 28 2006. Their decomposed bodies were found on April 5.
l Kedibone Princess Shiburi, 19, went missing on July 14 2006. Her body was found 11 days later.
l Ramaesela Salome Kwinana, 46, went missing on October 8 2006. Her body was found a week later.
l Johanna Rebecca Baloyi, 8, went missing on April 27 last year and her body was found the following day.
l Refilwe Ringani, 8, went missing on June 12 last year and her body was found on July 8.
l Mokgadi Maria Mafora, 5, went missing on April 5 this year. Her body was found two days later.
l Nono Johanna Lefawane, 8, went missing on January 10 2005. She has not been found.
l Joshua Moyati Chauke, 10, went missing on December 28 2005. He has not been found.
l Johanna Ramokoni Motshabi, 4, went missing on January 11 2006 and has not been found.
'killer' in court
Frank Maponya
Frank Maponya
The recent arrest of an alleged serial killer in Modimolle, Limpopo, came as a result of random DNA tests conducted on several men in the town.
The man was arrested in Lwamondo in the Vuwani area near Thohoyandou on Friday morning.
Provincial police commissioner Calvin Sengani said a task team established to investigate the serial killings in Modimolle had led to the arrest of the 45-year-old man last week.
Though Sengani would not reveal the exact circumstances leading to the man's arrest, he expressed confidence that they had apprehended the right suspect.
The man was sought in connection with a spate of rapes and murders in Modimolle between 2004 and 2008.
The recently arrested man is expected to appear in the Modimolle magistrate's court today on kidnapping, murder, indecent assault and abuse charges.
Sengani said on April 10 last month, the police cordoned off a section of Phahameng Location and took blood samples for DNA testing to find who was responsible for the killings.
The samples were linked to DNA tests done on the bodies of seven children and one adult found. Three children are still missing.
"We are absolutely confident that we have arrested the right person this time," said Sengani.
He said they had relied heavily on the forensic investigations.
Police had earlier arrested another man for the deaths. He was arrested in Vuwani on January 19 but had to be released two months later after the state could not link him to the crimes.
A reward of R250000 was offered for information.
These are the victims:
l Matshidiso Greycia Makhubela, 3, went missing on September 12 2006. Her body was found a day later. She had been raped.
l Rosina Malete, 8, went missing with her brother, Petrus, 11, on March 28 2006. Their decomposed bodies were found on April 5.
l Kedibone Princess Shiburi, 19, went missing on July 14 2006. Her body was found 11 days later.
l Ramaesela Salome Kwinana, 46, went missing on October 8 2006. Her body was found a week later.
l Johanna Rebecca Baloyi, 8, went missing on April 27 last year and her body was found the following day.
l Refilwe Ringani, 8, went missing on June 12 last year and her body was found on July 8.
l Mokgadi Maria Mafora, 5, went missing on April 5 this year. Her body was found two days later.
l Nono Johanna Lefawane, 8, went missing on January 10 2005. She has not been found.
l Joshua Moyati Chauke, 10, went missing on December 28 2005. He has not been found.
l Johanna Ramokoni Motshabi, 4, went missing on January 11 2006 and has not been found.
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