Limpopo police have issued a warning that whoever is arrested for rape will have to undergo compulsory HIV testing.

Police spokesperson Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi said those found to be HIV positive would face an additional charge of attempted murder.

Mulaudzi's statement comes on the heels of a police breakthrough in a case involving an alleged serial rapist, who preyed on his victims around the Thohoyandou area. He said the 30-year-old man was taken into custody on Friday.

Mulaudzi said eight girls had reported being attacked in the area and four of the victims had already positively identified the man as the person who raped them. "The rapist sometimes attacked girls who walked in the area with their boyfriends. "He would tie down the boys before raping the girls,” said Mulaudzi.

He said the raping spree started in 2011; he used the same method of lying in ambush in the bush and waiting for victims. He would then pounce and attack them.

The victims were girls aged between 14 and 19.

Mulaudzi said they had linked the man to the crimes through DNA testing.

“The man will appear in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court soon,” said Mulaudzi.