Serial rapist suspect tracked down

THE chase for a wanted City serial rapist, who allegedly raped nine women in four months and evaded police since last year, came to an end last week when Jabulani Dlamini (41) was finally tracked down in Harding on Tuesday.

He reportedly posed as a security guard outside shop centres in Empangeni, Richards Bay and eSikhaleni where he lured his victims, aged between 18 and 30, by accusing them of shoplifting.

Making his first appearance in the Empangeni Magistrate’s Court on Friday, Dlamini will remain behind bars as the case was remanded to 27 May for further investigation.

According to police, Dlamini was positively identified in eight of the nine cases of rape during an identity parade.

‘In all cases, between January and April last year, the suspect’s modus operandi was to accuse the women of shoplifting at Empangeni Sanlam Centre, Empangeni Biyela Centre, eSikhawini Centre and OK Centre in Richards Bay,’ said SAPS spokesperson Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose.

‘He would follow the women in the store and take pictures of them while

shopping. When they left the store, he would approach them and

show them the pictures claiming that he was from a security company and

the pictures were taken from CCTV footage.

‘He would then tell them to accompany him to the company offices for interrogation, but instead

led them to nearby bushes where he threatened them with a knife and raped

them,’ said Mdlalose.

The case was handed over to the Empangeni Family Violence and Sexual Offenses Unit where an identity kit was created and DNA testing conducted.

‘The DNA testing was vital to the case and we commend the investigating officer on his efforts. We also want to thank the victims for having the courage to come forward and reported the crimes.

‘All criminals must know that there is no space for them, let alone those who abuse woman. We will always find them,’ said Mdlalose.