The man accused of raping more than 30women in Ekurhuleni was identifies by all his victims during an ID parade and through DNA evidence. The accused, who cannot be named as he has not pleaded yet, appeared at the Daveyton Magistrate court for his formal bail application on Tuesday. The suspect (38) is a security guard at a government parastatal, and he is also a part- time law student.

THE VICTIMS

One of the alleged rapist victims who spoke to ZiMoja outside court couldn't hold back her tears as she narrated her traumatic story on the day she was raped.  The 29-year-old victim detailed how the man offered her and her 25-year-old sister a lift on the 15December 2022. She said they were from doing some shopping in Joburg and the taxi they were commuting dropped them off at Daveyton mall. She said because it was already late and there was no sign of taxis they decided to walk home. As they were walking, they noticed a white car driving out from a nearby petrol station. "The accused drove towards us and asked if we were ok and then offered us a lift. Although we were reluctant, we accepted the offer as it was already dark. He seemed like a gentleman and made small talk with us," said the victim. 

"He told us he didn't know Daveyton so we should direct him and we did until we reached home. I was sitting in front and my sister at the back. When I was about to open the door, he asked if we were both going in and I told him that only my sister stays at home and I'll be walking to my house after taking the key since it was closer but he offered to drop me off." The victim said the accused asked to make a u-turn before the sister got off and they agreed." As I was conversing with my sister facing towards the door, the man pulled out a gun and pointed it at us. He said if we comply nothing bad will happen to us."

MODUS OPERANDI

The victim said before the suspectdrove them to the veld where he raped them, he told them he was not interestedin their belongings. "He told us he wanted what only women can offer men."He told us not to do anything stupid otherwise we will push him into somethinghe doesn't want to do."

RAPED INFRONT OF HER SISTER

The victim said when they got to the open veld, the man stepped out of the car and came to her side. She said he ordered her to take off her shoes and pants and then jump to the backseat. "He also took off his shoes and clothes. He told my sister to do the same, but she refused and explained that she was on her periods. He then told her that she was off the hook for now, but he'd be coming back for her." She said the accused ordered her to lay on her sister's thighs before raping her. When he was done, he told her to get off and get dressed. " As I bended to pick up my clothes he raped me again and when he was done, I got dressed and he drove us back home. After that I just wanted to forget and did not tell my family or husband about the incident." 

HE DIDN'T STOP

A few days after the incident the victim said she saw a post on a neighbourhood watch group that there was a serial rapist in town and women need to be careful and refrain from accepting lifts. She said weeks went by and another post was shared on the 24 January by another victim that the serial  rapist was arrested. "I made contact with her and she told me there's no way she could help me but advised me to go and open a case and I did that. Now I've found out that I'm among a group of over 30women who are victims of this man's obsessive sexual behaviour."

IDENTITY PARADE 

During an ID parade, the victim saysshe couldn't hold back her tears as flashbacks played on her mind. "Forthe first time since the incident, I broke down on Monday. I can't evendescribe how I felt. I watched other victims cry and realised that we weredestroyed for life. Intimacy with my partner is a problem and yet he doesn'teven know." 

THE ARREST 

The suspect was arrested on the 22January and was charged with two counts of rape, two counts of kidnapping and 2counts of pointing a firearm. This after two cases were opened against him by victims he raped on separate incidents, October 2022 and January 2023.Following his arrest more victims came forward and he was linked to cases that were opened previously. The matter was postponed to the 27th of February for formal bail application. His other victims were present in court but were not ready to relive their trauma.