BAIL DENIED TO THE ALLEGED BENONI AND TEMBISA SERIAL RAPIST
The Daveyton Magistrates’ Court has denied bail to the alleged Benoni and Tembisa serial rapist. The 38-year-old man who was employed as a security officer at PRASA, is facing 145 charges, 44 counts of rape, 43 counts of kidnapping, 41 counts of pointing a firearm as well as 17 other additional charges of fraud, obstruction of justice, and forcing someone to witness a sexual act.
It is alleged that the accused raped a total of 36 women, in and around Benoni, Tembisa, and Daveyton, from 2018 until January 2023, when he was arrested. The youngest victim was a 14-year-old girl, while his oldest was a 33-year-old woman. It is alleged that he targeted the victims while going home, to work, or waiting for a taxi, and he would point them with a firearm, force them into his car, and drive to a destination where he would rape them.
The accused was arrested on 22 January 2023, through an intelligence-driven operation by the SAPS. During the bail application, he submitted an affidavit, where he asked the court to release him on R10 000 bail because he is taking care of his sick child and nephew. Moreover, he told the court that he was busy with his paralegal studies, therefore should he be denied bail, he will not be able to complete his studies. However, the prosecutor Terrence Marx opposed his bail and told the court that the state has a strong case against the accused since he was linked through DNA scientific evidence in most of the charges. Furthermore, should the accused be convicted, he is facing multiple life sentences, therefore he is likely to evade trial and might interfere with state witnesses.
Magistrate Vinnie Gobind, agreed with the state that the accused was indeed a flight risk, he committed the offences for five years before he was arrested. Not only did he threaten to kill his victims should they report but threatened to even kill their dogs. Moreover, the magistrate said the accused failed to show exceptional circumstances that warrant his release on bail.
The matter is postponed for further investigations and will return to court on 13 July 2023, at Benoni Magistrates Court, regional court
