KAROO NEWS - A 43-year-old truck driver was arrested in Middleburg after he allegedly raped a hitchhiker on Monday 8 May.
According to Colonel Priscilla Naidu, spokesperson for SAPS in the Sarah Baartman District, the 23-year-old woman was picked up in Kariega and was in the truck with other passengers but they were dropped off in Jansenville.
At a resting spot about 30km from Graaff-Reinet on the Jansenville road, the truck driver allegedly threatened the woman with a firearm and raped her. She was dropped off in Graaff-Reinet where she alerted police.
An investigation by SAPS Graaff-Reinet Operational Command Centre (OCC) and Vispol members led to the apprehension of the truck driver in Middelburg en route to Colesberg. He was arrested and detained on a charge of rape.
Sarah Baartman District Commissioner, Major General Zolani Xawuka commended the police members.
"The SAPS would like to warn women of the dangers of hitchhiking as they can easily fall prey to robberies, rape, human trafficking or even murder," says Xawuka.
"The ride is not always free." He emphasizes that hitchhiking can be dangerous for both the hitchhiker and the driver.
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