'Lying rapist' caught, charged

2008-08-29 13:22

Verashni Pillay

Bloemfontein - A man appeared in Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Thursday after allegedly lying about drugging and raping a teenager, claiming he had "saved" her, police said.

Marlo Ferreira, 20, was arrested with a naked woman in his car on August 21 after police stopped him when he skipped a red traffic light, police spokesperson Superintendent Annelie Wrensch said.

Police tried to talk to the woman, 18, but she did not respond. Ferreira claimed he saw a man raping the woman on the corner of Nelson Mandela and First Avenue, and had picked her up to take her to hospital.

"Based on this information, members of Police Emergency Services took her to the National Hospital where she woke up for the first time at about 11:00 [on August 22]," said Wrensch.

She could not remember anything because of the effects of the date rape drug she was given.

Left with Ferreira

However investigating officer, Inspector Richard Botha, heard from staff at the bar where she was last seen that the woman had left with Ferreira.

The woman was at a bar with friends in Second Avenue in Bloemfontein on August 21 when Ferreira, a stranger to her, allegedly spiked her drink and took her to the area of Arboretum where he raped her.

"Unable to get her clothing back on, he allegedly drove with her through the city," said Wrensch.

Ferreira was arrested on Thursday and appeared in court on charges of rape and defeating the ends of justice.

He was released on bail of R500 and will appear in court again on September 18.

The young woman was recovering at her family's home, according to Wrensch.

Meanwhile the investigating officer has asked the owner of a red Vokswagen Golf, registration GROD NC, to contact him urgently in connection with the case. Inspector Botha can be contacted at 083 6970982 or 051 5032700.

- News24