An extensive investigation by the Provincial Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit has managed to link a 30-year-old man through DNA to at least 14 rape cases between Tsolo and Msobomvu in Butterworth, with some cases allegedly dating back to 2016.
Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli said yesterday the suspect briefly appeared in the Tsolo Magistrate’s Court facing 30 charges ranging from rape, robbery with aggravating circumstances to kidnapping, and was remanded in custody until his next court date on September 27 for a bail application.
“The accused was positively linked through DNA profiling in a series of rape cases, which occurred between Tsolo and Butterworth. It is alleged that the suspect was mostly targeting people who were walking at night either from work or students who were on their way to their residences. Some of the cases were opened as early as 2016, and his victims are aged between 15 and 39 years old,” Nkohli said.
The accused is expected to be transferred to Butterworth, where he is to face similar charges on September 20.
Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene applauded the leading investigating officer, Warrant Officer Lulama Luhadi from FCS Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation (SECI) for the sterling work.
“The suspect had been evasive for years, but the long arm of the law finally caught up with him and we hope that his arrest will bring solace to the victims”, Lt Gen Mene concluded.
ISSUED BY SAPS
