Cato Manor rape accused abandons bail, more charges added
A 46-year-old man accused of a series of rapes dating back to 2014 now faces 27 charges, including kidnapping and house break-in.
THE man accused of raping 15 women in Cato Manor and other parts of KwaZulu-Natal has abandoned his bail application after 12 additional charges, including kidnapping, were added to his charge sheet.
The softly spoken 46-year-old, who cannot be named to protect his alleged victims, appeared before Magistrate Ashin Singh at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday, September 28.
During proceedings, State prosecutor Siphelele Ndlela informed the court that additional charges had been added to the charge sheet.
The accused was initially facing 15 counts relating to the rape of 15 women in Cato Manor and other parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
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He now faces 27 charges, including multiple counts of house break-in with the intention to commit rape, theft, assault with grievous bodily harm and kidnapping.
The additional charges prompted his defence team to “abandon bail for the time being”, with the matter adjourned to October 28.
The accused was arrested on September 17 by members of the Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation and Investigative Psychology Unit after he was linked to the crimes through DNA evidence.
His alleged crimes date back to 2014. KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said his modus operandi was to follow women of different ages from taverns to their homes, where he allegedly 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,” said Netshiunda.
“The victims could not identify the suspect because he reportedly disguised his face by wearing a pantyhose, however police detectives and investigators from the specialised units connected the dots, established a modus operandi, and linked the suspects through the DNA.”
The matter was adjourned for further investigation and a decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
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