Red bakkie not a rapist's flag

2003-10-01 08:38

Marida Fitzpatrick

Johannesburg - The serial rapist hysteria that is gripping the East Rand has red Corsa bakkie drivers feeling guilty about simply driving such vehicles.

Police were on Tuesday convinced they had the so-called Casanova rapist after a high-speed car chase involving a red Corsa bakkie.

Police officers spotted the bakkie in Benoni on Tuesday afternoon, said Police Captain Anna-Marie Potgieter.

Police tried to pull the vehicle over but the driver sped off and a chase ensued.

Eventually police cut the bakkie off and arrested the driver - a man in his twenties.

It was later found the suspect was not the rapist but rather an innocent Corsa bakkie driver. It was not however, clear why he refused to stop for police.

Stupid, but understandable

Dr Irma Labuschagne, a criminologist, said it was "stupid but understandable" that the man fled. She said someone could be travelling at 40km/h but still feel guilty of speeding if he sees a traffic officer. This is probably what happened, she said.

But people should not see a serial rapist in every Corsa bakkie, Labuschagne said.

Police have meanwhile stepped up their efforts to find the rapist. Potgieter said "police were carrying out an in depth study into all the information they had" on the blonde suspect.

- Beeld