Alleged serial rapist and murderer Themba Dube has pleaded not guilty to the charges of murder, rape, kidnapping, and robbery of seven women he is reported to have murdered in 2021. Dube, a Zimbabwean national who came to South Africa illegally through the Limpopo River in 2019 allegedly lured the women with promises of jobs only to kill them and dump their bodies at different places in Polokwane.

THE MURDERS

Their decomposed bodies were discovered in the bushes in October 2021. According to the SAPS, Dube would meet up with the women and promise to take them to their new employers. But instead of doing so, he kidnaps them, took them to secluded areas outside Polokwane, and rapes them before killing them. The women were murdered between August and October 2021 and Dube was arrested on 7 November of the same year. His victims are; Sarah Mothiba, a Lesotho national, Molebogeng Mothebeli, Khomotso Makhura, Sanah Senyatsi, Andrea Cholo, Jane Letswalo and Zimbabwean national, Chisimango Gumbo. Dube was initially arrested for being in possession of a cellphone belonging to a missing woman from Lebowakgomo. ?

THE CONFESSING?

In his last court appearance at the Seshego magistrate court in November 2021, Dube refused legal representation and said there was no need as he was at the scene and knew what had happened. "I know what happened and I am ready to tell the truth. There is no need to get a lawyer," he told the court then. Dube had also taken the police to the location where he had dumped the women's bodies.?

THE SURVIVOR 

Dube's only survivor, Kedibone Segwale says he was a smooth talker who was convincing when he promised her a job. She told ZiMoja that he approached her and said he knew a family that wanted a domestic worker. "I didn't think twice because I had been unemployed for years. We made an appointment to meet again the very next day so he could take me to my new employers." Segwale said the alleged killer told her to wear a longer dress because the employers wouldn't be impressed with short clothes. When they met, he told her they were going to use the shortest route that goes through the bushes. When they were in the bushes, he drew a knife and ordered her to take off her clothes, pushed her to the ground, and raped her.  "After he ejaculated, he ordered me to remain on the ground, but I told him my back was sore, and he threatened to stab me if I stood up. Segwale said she got up anyway, picked up a rock and a stick and attacked him with the stick. He disappeared into the bushes, and I fled the scene."

The trial continues at the Polokwane High Court.