A Durban security guard accused of multiple rapes has been linked to 18 cases dating back to 2014 through DNA evidence. The man, who cannot be named due to a court order, was employed as a security guard by a company contracted to provide security services at several courts in Durban and the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) offices in the Durban CBD. He was reportedly fired in February for alleged insubordination.
The accused allegedly moved in and out of the offices of the NPA, guarding the very institution tasked with prosecuting criminals. During the court proceedings, State prosecutor Siphelele Ndlela revealed that an identification parade planned would not advance the State's case as the accused had already been linked to the alleged offences through DNA evidence. The accused initially faced 15 counts of rape, but the State has since added three further counts of rape and other charges.
Ndlela applied for the media to be barred from publishing the accused's name or taking photographs of him, citing concerns that identifying the accused publicly could jeopardize the State's case and potentially affect the victims' testimony. The victims did not know the accused, while he knew who they were. The court was urged to protect the alleged victims, warning that knowing the identity of the accused could make them fearful of testifying.
The police had initially been unable to identify the suspect, but DNA evidence linked the different cases to the same individual. According to a reliable source, investigators only managed to identify the accused after he allegedly stole a cellphone belonging to one of the victims. This led to the police tracing him and gathering sufficient evidence to link him to the crimes.
The State indicated it was ready to proceed with the accused's bail application, but he abandoned it and remains in custody. The matter was postponed to October 28 and will be referred to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), where it will be handled through prosecutor-guided investigation until the indictment stage. The case is regarded as a High Court case due to its complexity.
The accused's case has raised concerns about the vetting process for security personnel, particularly those employed at critical institutions such as courts and the NPA. The incident highlights the need for thorough background checks and monitoring of security guards to prevent similar cases in the future. The authorities have been urged to take steps to prevent such incidents and ensure public safety.
Key points
- The accused was linked to 18 alleged rape cases dating back to 2014 through DNA evidence.
- The accused was employed as a security guard at the National Prosecuting Authority's offices in Durban.
- The accused abandoned his bail application and remains in custody.
