The Provincial FCS, Serial and Electronic Crimes Investigation Unit (SECI) of Western Cape received a serial rape investigation from Hermanus area during March 2016. At that stage the suspect was unknown and the victims were unable to provide a description of the suspect.
The suspect always made sure that his face was covered by a stocking or balaclava. He would rob them of their cellular telephones and cash and then take them to a secluded place next to Zwelihle, between Hermanus and Sandbaai where he would assault and rape the victims.
A possible suspect was arrested in Hermanus on 25 May 2018, after he was found in suspicious circumstances near the area of the crime scenes. It was later confirmed by the Forensic Science Lab (FSL) that he was positively linked with DNA to all of the cases, 15 in total.
The accused was charged on a total of 44 charges including rape, robbery, assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH) and kidnapping. Two of his victims were minors aged 14 and 15 years respectively. The other victims were adults between 19 and 39. The accused initially denied all charges and the trial went ahead.
During the end of 2020 the accused signed a plea agreement where he admitted guilt on all the charges. On 3 December 2020, he was sentenced in the High Court, Cape Town to four life terms and an additional 385 years in prison. Five of the victims attended the sentencing procedures and was highly pleased with the outcome of the case.
Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Yolisa Matakata commended the investigating officer Detective Sergeant Mziwetu Faith Sidinana of the SECI Unit for a job well done. She say that this sentencing is an indication of the high priority place by SAPS on our investigations in the priority crimes, such as crimes perpetrated against women and children.
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