A suspected serial rapist, aged 46, has been remanded into police custody by the Durban Magistrate's Court after being linked to 14 cases of rape in Cato Manor. The court ordered that his name not be disclosed due to the nature of the charges. He is set to return to court on September 28. The man was arrested on Thursday by the Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation (SECI) and Investigative Psychology Unit (IPU) within the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS).
According to police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the offences may date back to 2014, with the man allegedly raping 14 women in Cato Manor between then and 2025. Additionally, he is accused of raping a woman in the Pietermaritzburg district. The suspect's modus operandi involved targeting women of different ages, usually at night, following them from taverns to their homes, where he would rape and rob them.
The suspect allegedly broke into houses, using a knife to threaten his victims, particularly those living alone. To conceal his identity, he wore a pantyhose over his head, making it difficult for the victims to identify him. However, police detectives connected the crimes through DNA evidence, leading to his arrest.
KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli attended the court appearance, emphasizing the government's commitment to combating gender-based violence and ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice. He commended the police for their work, highlighting the importance of professional, intelligence-led policing in cases involving violence against women.
Premier Ntuli's comments come during a particularly challenging period for South Africa, with the recent discovery of women's bodies in Gauteng underscoring the devastating reality of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). He described the past week as "a week of shame" for the nation, emphasizing the need for collective action against violence directed at women and children.
The Premier welcomed the role of specialist policing in building cases through forensic and investigative evidence, noting that successful prosecutions depend on strong investigations from the moment a crime is reported. He urged communities to continue working with the police, providing information that could assist investigators while respecting the integrity of ongoing criminal proceedings.
Ntuli emphasized that the fight against gender-based violence requires a collaborative effort from communities, men, traditional and faith leaders, civil society, the private sector, and the criminal justice system. He assured survivors and families that the government hears them and stands with them, while also sending a clear message to perpetrators that the state will pursue them.
Key points
- The suspect, a 46-year-old man, has been linked to 14 rape cases in Cato Manor, South Africa.
- The offences may date back to 2014, with the suspect allegedly raping women between then and 2025.
- The arrest demonstrates the importance of professional, intelligence-led and evidence-based policing in cases involving violence against women.
