Secunda Regional Court postpones suspected serial killer’s trial
During his appearance on August 16, Shongwe complained to the Magistrate Graham Cupido a policeman allegedly assaulted him in the cells at Trichardt Police Station but he did not point out his assailant.
The Secunda regional court has on August 23 again postponed its case against Themba Shongwe, a suspected serial killer and rapist from eMbalenhle because of the unavailability of his attorney.
Family of the victims family were supposed to continue to testify in the trial. Shongwe’s State lawyer sent word to the court of a death in his family.
During his appearance on August 16, Shongwe complained to Magistrate Graham Cupido that a policeman allegedly assaulted him in the Trichardt police holding cells before he was brought to court.
Cupido instructed a court officer to assist Shongwe in identifying his alleged assailant and to open a case. Shongwe later claimed he did not receive help.
Cupido again instructed the court officer to take him to open a case before taking him to Bethal prison.
The trial was postponed to November 2.
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Shongwe is being accused of raping and killing four girls in eMbalenhle.
Nokulunga Nkutha (11) was reported missing in August 2016 and her body was dumped in the street. Cynthia Masilela was raped, murdered and dumped in the street in 2017.
Nokulunga’s cousin, Lerato Nkutha (also 11), was raped and murdered in May 2018. Mihle Singamo (14) was killed in the same manner in November 2018. Shongwe was arrested shortly after this murder four years ago.
He is also facing charges in connection with the rape of two other girls who managed to escape before being murdered.
The FCS police team led by super sleuth Sergeant Hezekiel Hezekiel Malapela, investigated the cases.
