Rapist could be cop - police

2003-09-30 07:26

Marida Fitzpatrick

Johannesburg - Evidence seems to indicate the Witwatersrand serial rapist could be an unstable policeman.

Captain Anna-Marie Potgieter of the unit of family violence, child protection and sexual offences, confirmed police were also investigating their own ranks in the search for the rapist.

"He has told three of his victims he is a policeman and showed a police firearm to one of the girls. It is definitely a strong possibility."

Potgieter said they were conducting an in-depth investigation into records of police officers and former police officers. In the light of his apparently mental instability, investigators are focusing on officers who were declared unfit for service.

Apart from his police weapon, the gruesome photos in the room in which he raped one of his victims, might indicate that he works or worked as a policeman, Potgieter said.

"These photos of maimed, bloody and dead girls could not have been freely available. If he did not take them himself, he probably got hold of them through the police."

Apart from the possibility that the rapist might be a police officer, investigators are also following other leads.

Potgieter said a helicopter would be used this week over the Bredell smallholdings near Benoni on the East Rand.

Also searching for his red bakkie

"We are looking for the mobile home in which he raped his latest victim."

Another clue that is receiving attention is the red Opel Corsa bakkie that the rapist drives.

Potgieter said police were checking the manufacturer's sales records to track down people on the East Rand who had bought such a vehicle in the past few years.

"At this stage, we are actually looking at all red vehicles."

Meanwhile, members of the public are in an increasing state of panic about the rapist, who is walking around in their midst and targeting blonde schoolgirls.

Potgieter said police were getting more and more calls and clues each day.

"There is a measure of hysteria. People are becoming concerned about the slightest similarity with the profile of the serial rapist."

However, police are following every lead. "We are determined to catch the man. The strong reaction from the public is very positive."

The man is about 1.7m tall, slight and has short, dark blonde hair. He has a scar above his left knee and likes to wear a cap and dark glasses.

- Beeld