The SAPS has stated that three incidents of rape have been registered the past week. The first incident happened on 2021-07-04 at 00:30 in Nyibe. The complainant (16), was asleep at home. She woke up and went outside to use the bathroom. While walking down the path, she was grabbed from behind by a suspect. He covered her mouth, so that she could not call for help, and threatened her with a knife. He forced her to an open veld where he raped her. After the rape, the suspect told the complainant to keep quiet about the incident and left. She reported the rape three days later to the Ermelo Police.

The second incident happened on 2021-07-08 at 16:25, in the vicinity of Kwamabuza next to the N11. The complainant (48) was on her way home, when confronted by the suspect, armed with a knife. He threatened her with the knife and then raped her. After the incident he fled the scene.

The third incident happened on 2021-07-09 at 11:00. The complainant (18) was walking from Kwamabuza. Next to Ermelo Airfield, a suspect came from the bushes, holding a knife. He grabbed the complainant and said that if she screamed he will stab her. He raped her and fled from the scene. The South African Police Service request any person who might have information or help the SAPS with the investigation in any of the mentioned incidents to contact the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) on any of the following numbers: 017-801 0517 or 072 638 1652.