A 46-year-old man accused of being the 'Cato Manor serial rapist' has abandoned his bail application at the Durban Magistrate's Court. The man, whose identity is not publicly disclosed, faces 27 charges, including rape, kidnapping, housebreaking, and attempted murder. His lawyer informed the court of his decision, and he was remanded in custody until October 28. The court has ordered that his identity and images not be published.
According to Sphelele Ndlela, representing the state, the charges against the accused have increased to 27. The man is alleged to have followed several women home from Cato Manor taverns and raped them, using pantyhose pulled over his face to conceal his identity. This tactic prevented the victims from seeing his face, making it impossible for them to identify him. The accused was arrested earlier this month by detectives from the Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation unit and the Investigative Psychology Unit.
The KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, previously stated that the accused operated mostly at night, targeting women of different ages. He followed them from taverns to their homes, where he reportedly committed the rapes. Police have linked the man to 14 rapes in Cato Manor between 2014 and 2025, as well as rapes in the Pietermaritzburg area. DNA evidence played a crucial role in connecting the accused to the crimes.
During his first appearance last week, Ndlela told the court that the state opposed bail and that additional charges could follow. KZN premier Thamsanqa Ntuli attended the hearing and emphasized that the arrest demonstrated the effectiveness of professional, intelligence-led, and evidence-based policing. Ntuli highlighted that even if a crime is committed without witnesses, police can still investigate and catch perpetrators.
The accused appeared in court dressed in a blue jacket and yellow shirt, with his arms folded, and followed the proceedings through an interpreter. The public gallery was half-full during the hearing. The state intends to refer the case to the director of public prosecutions, who will decide on the matter by October 28.
The investigation involved detectives from the Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation unit and the Investigative Psychology Unit, both under the police's Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit. The units' involvement underscores the police's commitment to tackling serious crimes, particularly those of a sexual nature.
The case will continue on October 28, when the director of public prosecutions will decide on the next course of action. The accused's decision to abandon his bail application means he will remain in custody until then. The court has reiterated its order that his identity and images not be published, ensuring his anonymity throughout the proceedings.
Key points
- The accused faces 27 charges, including rape, kidnapping, housebreaking, and attempted murder.
- DNA evidence linked the man to 14 rapes in Cato Manor between 2014 and 2025.
- The state intends to refer the case to the director of public prosecutions for further decision by October 28.
