Pretoria - The man who allegedly raped several young women in Pretoria had already been arrested for similar crime when fresh charges were laid against him last week.
The 30-year-old is suspected of being behind numerous rapes. He is in custody, but failed to appear in court on Tuesday.
The suspect allegedly lured young women to his flat near Burgers Park by pretending to be a photographer for a clothing line. He then raped them.
The latest charge was laid by a woman, 19, who said the incident happened two months ago.
It emerged in court that the man had been behind bars for a similar crime committed last year and was due to apply for bail at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.
But much to the surprise of the prosecution, the accused was nowhere to be found.
Magistrate Mokone Moloto postponed the matter for October 18 for bail application.
The man was due to appear on a separate charge based on a rape incident that took place last year.
Despite being on bail, the accused allegedly employed the same modus operandi numerous times, raping at least eight other young women.
Numerous women who spoke to the Pretoria News said he initiated contact with them on Facebook.
He would tell them he owned a clothing line and offered them an opportunity to showcase his designs as models. The man would then set up an appointment with them at the Union Building for a photo shoot.
The women, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the nature of the crimes, said they had been left traumatised and cheated by the man.
Pretoria News