Serial rapist and robber facing 66 charges

A 32-year-old foreign national linked to a series of violent house robberies and rapes targeting women-headed households across Limpopo’s Mopani and Vhembe districts is facing 66 charges.

The accused is expected to appear before the Giyani Magistrate’s Court following a lengthy investigation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Provincial Investigation Unit.

Police said the crimes were committed between 2014 and 2020, with victims including women aged up to 74.

The accused allegedly broke into the homes of women, attacked them with a sharp object, and raped and robbed them.

He was positively linked to the crimes through forensic evidence.

The suspect was arrested in 2020 but allegedly escaped from lawful custody before being rearrested in 2022. He has remained in custody since then and has, on occasion, allegedly used different names to evade identification.

The 66 charges enrolled on the indictment for trial at the Thohoyandou High Court include 17 counts of rape, 16 of robbery with aggravating circumstances, 35 of burglary, three of attempted murder, three of murder and one of escaping from lawful custody.

The High Court trial is scheduled to resume on 25 January 2027.

Police said a further seven cases currently before a separate court are being joined to the indictment and are expected to be consolidated.

Limpopo provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers welcomed the progress, saying the case reflected years of investigative work to hold the accused accountable.

“No woman should ever have to live in fear in her own home,” Scheepers said.

He called on communities to continue working with police to help protect women and children.