THE three suspects in the ‘Satanic’ serial rape case made their first appearance in Empangeni District Court today.
Accused number one, Sandile Welcome Xulu (23) along with suspected accomplices, Innocent Mthembu (25) and Zinhle Mkhungo (29) appeared before Justice Mtshali at about 11am.
The suspected rape trio were remanded into custody and the case was postponed to 29 June where a bail application will be heard.
In another twist, the Zululand Observer confirmed Mkhungo had given birth to Xulu’s child three weeks ago. She was at court with the baby girl, and it is believed she is being allowed to stay with her mother in custody.
It is unclear if alternative arrangements for the baby have been finalised.
Mthembu and Mkhungo were charged with the possession of suspected stolen property and assisting another to commit a sexual offence, respectively.
Xulu faces three counts of rape so far, pending DNA test results to link him to another two victims. It is believed he raped and robbed five women in the Empangeni area, between May and March this year.
Mkhungo and Xulu laughed as they were escorted into the cells.
All three suspects were apprehended in eNseleni last Thursday morning during a joint operation between the Empangeni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit and Crime Intelligence.
@kcowan23
