THE 46-year-old man accused of raping 15 women in Cato Manor and other parts of KwaZulu-Natal could soon find himself facing additional charges as the State continues to investigate the case, with possible links to other provinces probed.

The accused, who cannot be named pending his bail application and identity parade, appeared at the Durban Magistrate’s court this morning (Monday, September 21). He was arrested on Thursday, September 17, by members of the Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation (SECI) and Investigative Psychology Unit (IPU), which are within the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS).

The accused had evaded capture for more than a decade, having allegedly started his reign of terror in 2014. KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the accused was linked to the crimes through DNA testing.

“His modus operandi was to follow women of different ages from taverns to their homes where he reportedly raped them and robbed them of their belongings. In some instances, the suspect allegedly broke into houses and raped his victims at knife point, especially vulnerable women who were staying alone.”

In court, senior state prosecutor Advocate Siphelele Ndlela said charges of house break-in could be added to the lengthy charge sheet along with aggravated assault. She also asked for the accused not to be named and photographed.

“There could still be other victims who are out there and yet to approach the law, and we do not want to jeopardise the case by identifying the accused and further details out there in the public,” Ndlela told the court.

She confirmed that an identity parade will be done this week.

“With the investigation still ongoing there might be additional charges added. By limiting the information released to the public on this matter, it protects the rights and safety of the victims. It is in the interest of justice,” Ndlela said.

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KZN Premier Thami Ntuli, who was in court, said the province is facing a serious problem of gender-based violence and rape that needs to be confronted from all sides.

“As we are dealing with this matter, I have been told that another serial rapist has been arrested in oPhongolo, which means were have a serious problem in KZN.

“When we confront GBV it’s a case of a perpetrator and a victim but this is revealing a serious case where the accused has violated a number of women in KZN and other provinces. We really need to go back to the drawing board while ensuring that we are confronting this scourge head-on and get the community involved in reporting these cases.”

The matter was adjourned to September 28, when the accused is expected to apply for bail.

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