The Daveyton Magistrates Court has denied bail to a 38-year-old alleged serial rapist who targeted women in Tembisa and Benoni while going home, to work, or waiting for a taxi and offered them a lift. While inside the car, the man who has not been named, as he has not pleaded, would point them with a firearm and drive to a destination where he would order them to undress and rape them, some repeatedly.

The accused 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. Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority Lumka Mahanjana said the accused allegedly raped a total of 36 women, 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."

Mahanjana said the accused was arrested on 22 January 2023, through an intelligence-driven operation by the SAPS. During his bail application, the accused 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," The state opposed his bail saying they have a strong case against him. Prosecutor Terrence Marx opposed and said the accused 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 him but threatened to even kill their dogs. Moreover, the magistrate said the accused failed to show exceptional circumstances that warrant his release on bail," Mahanjana said. The matter was postponed to 13 July for further investigation.