Alleged serial rapist denied bail

The bail application of the 38-year-old man alleged to be the Benoni and Tembisa serial rapist was denied in the Daveyton Magistrate’s Court on June 20.

The suspect, identified as a security guard formerly employed by PRASA, brought an application stating that he is the breadwinner and that his youngest child suffers from a neurological illness thus requiring specialised care as well as medication.

In an affidavit submitted as evidence, he further claimed that he indented to contest the validity of the termination of his employment at the CCMA.

His contract was allegedly terminated following his arrest.

Magistrate Vinnie Gobind stated that the application for bail does not present extraordinary circumstances, which warrant bail being granted.

He said that given the gravity of the charges brought against the accused, as well as the evidence presented by the state, he posed a flight risk and, therefore, does not qualify for bail.

The alleged serial rapist was arrested on January 22 in Mayfield, Daveyton, following joint investigations by the SAPS Benoni and Tembisa Family Violence and Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS).

He was active in Benoni, Daveyton and Tembisa from 2018 until his arrest.

During his first appearance in January, he was charged with six counts of rape. Additional charges have however been brought against him including, 44 counts of rape, 43 of kidnapping, and 41 of pointing a firearm, as well as 17 additional charges, including fraud, obstruction of justice, forcing someone to witness a sexual act, contravention of the police act and contravention of the firearms control act.

According to Lumka Mahanjana, NPA regional spokesperson, the suspect allegedly raped 36 women, with the youngest being 14.

“The victims were women on their way home or waiting next to the road for a taxi,” Mahanjana explained.

“He would stop next to them and force them into his vehicle under gunpoint, then he would drive to a desolate area where he would rape them. The case has been transferred to the Benoni Regional Court where the suspect will appear on July 13.”

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