IT was enough to horrify even the most hardened officials when two serial rape accused appeared in the Ramsgate Magistrate’s Court recently.
In what is arguably one of the most shocking cases ever handled in the area, a 43-year-old man appeared in court last Friday charged with the rape of two girls, aged six and nine, in Gusheni Ward, Nzimakwe, a 23-year-old woman in Izotsha, a 17-year-old in Palm Beach and a 13-year-old in Albersville, Port Shepstone.
He is also accused of raping and murdering an eight-year-old child at Borderland Estate.
The accused was a building contractor from Port Edward who has apparently been linked to these crimes by DNA. For more than a year, police had been searching for him and he was finally tracked down and arrested in Mkhlombe by the dog unit, Port Shepstone tracing unit, together with the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.
Warrant Officer Mfanafuthi ‘Pro’ Ngubane from FCS is the investigating officer.
As the man has not pleaded as yet, he cannot be named.
He will appear in court again and bail has been opposed.
In the second case, Thokozani Jerome Mkhungo of Gcilima, Margate, was on trial on nine charges, ranging from rape and house breaking with the intent to rape, to robbery with aggravating circumstances.
He pleaded not guilty.
The court heard that, on December 17, 2010 Mkhungo armed himself with a knife and broke into a woman’s home in the Bhokodisa area, Southbroom. He is accused of raping her and stealing cash and a cellphone.
Then, on May 4, 2013 he apparently returned the same house where he again broke in, raped the woman and stole cash and a cellphone.
The court also heard that on August 20, 2014, Mkhungo broke into another woman’s home near Thokothe and raped her before stealing her money and a cellphone.
He was first arrested in September 2014 and then again in September 2015, after DNA results matched up.
“I never did it. I do respect female persons,” he said.
The trial continues.
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