POLOKWANE – Mamvura is charged with 14 counts of rape, 10 of housebreaking with the aim to rape and 10 counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Mamvura first appeared in court in August 2013 after he was arrested after allegedly breaking into the house of an elderly couple in Bodenstein Street. During the break-in he threatened the couple with a knife, raped the 76-year-old woman and fled the scene after stealing two cell phones.
During his court appearance in 2013, Mamvura was released on R2 000 bail, despite strong arguments from the investigation team.
Mamvura earned the name Hammer Man as he used a hammer as his weapon of choice to attack his victims.
After being released on bail in 2013, Mamvura failed to appear in court on the stipulated date and another manhunt for the Hammer Man was launched.
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He was caught in 2015. During his court appearances, Mamvura has twice used the excuse that he did not have legal representative so his case could be postponed.
During his court appearance last week, when he said he did not have the opportunity to consult with his representative, he was warned that he would not get further postponement as he was just delaying out the case. He was warned that he then would have to defend himself.
The case against Mamvura has been on the roll for trial since 2016. Mamvura opted to handle his own defense. Two women took the witness stand in the High Court to testify. The court heard that Mamvura was armed with a screwdriver and a knife which he held against their necks. The victims said he used the light on his cell phone to obstruct their vision while raping them.
During the trial, Mamvura took notes but did not cross-examine the witnesses. One of the witnesses was a student at the time of the attack and shared a room with a friend. Her friend was not raped by the accused, the witness explained, as she was menstruating.
Mamvura was linked to several cases by DNA evidence.
The case was adjourned to Monday, 23 April and more witnesses were called. During the trial, two nurses and two policemen testified about the handling of evidence taken to the forensic laboratory in Pretoria and the lack of genital bruising on some of the victims, explaining that the lack of bruising did not indicate someone was not raped.
The case is continuing.
