A suspected serial rapist has been returned to custody in KwaZulu‑Natal more than 16 years after he allegedly fled from court, while a second man arrested last week is set to appear in the Durban Magistrates Court after police said DNA evidence linked him to attacks on at least 16 women.
Arrest in Nongoma follows 2010 case
Police arrested the 36‑year‑old suspect in Nongoma on Sunday in connection with a number of rape cases dating back to 2010. According to police accounts, the man was first arrested after a rape in Mahlabathini in 2010, released on bail and later alleged to have absconded from court.
Investigators said DNA collected during the initial 2010 probe subsequently linked the same man to additional rape cases across KwaZulu‑Natal and Gauteng. Police allege the suspect targeted women who were alone, breaking into homes, threatening them with a knife and raping them.
Second suspect linked to multiple attacks by DNA
Separately, police arrested a 46‑year‑old man in KwaZulu‑Natal last Thursday. He is due to appear in the Durban Magistrates Court on Monday. Authorities believe he is responsible for a string of attacks stretching back to 2014.
Police said the investigation tied the suspect to at least 16 attacks across the province. In Cato Manor alone the suspect is accused of raping 14 women between 2014 and 2025; two additional incidents were reported in Plessislaer and Taylor’s Halt.
According to the police account, the suspect allegedly followed women from taverns and then raped and robbed them. In other cases he reportedly broke into the homes of women who lived alone and assaulted them at knifepoint. Investigators also said the suspect sometimes hid his face with pantyhose, making identification by victims difficult.
How police linked cases
Police have said DNA evidence played a central role in linking suspects to multiple incidents. The use of forensic evidence in long‑running sexual‑offence investigations continues to be a decisive factor in connecting offenders to crimes committed years earlier.
“DNA evidence collected during that initial investigation has since linked him to the other cases,”
The arrests follow intensive investigative work by provincial detectives. The police did not provide further operational details or comments on whether the suspects were represented in court or the precise charges they would face.
What this means for communities
The alleged patterns described by police — following lone women from taverns, forced entry into homes and attacks at knifepoint — highlight persistent safety risks faced by women in parts of the province. Community leaders, tavern owners and residents in affected areas will be looking to police and municipal authorities for clearer safety measures.
- Arrest locations: Nongoma (36‑year‑old), KwaZulu‑Natal location for 46‑year‑old arrest (not specified in the police summary).
- Periods covered: From 2010 (first suspect) and 2014–2025 (second suspect).
- Number of alleged victims: At least 14 linked to the first suspect and at least 16 to the second, according to police statements.
| Suspect | Age | Alleged victims linked | Locations mentioned | Custody status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspect 1 | 36 | At least 14 | Mahlabathini; KZN and Gauteng | Arrested in Nongoma; back in police custody |
| Suspect 2 | 46 | At least 16 | Cato Manor, Plessislaer, Taylor’s Halt | Arrested in KZN; due in Durban Magistrates Court |
Victim support and reporting
Police have urged victims of sexual assault to report incidents so forensic teams can collect evidence. Anyone with information about the cases or who believes they may have relevant evidence — including details of similar incidents — should contact their nearest police station. Victims can also seek assistance from local victim‑support organisations and health services for medical and counselling support.
The arrests will be followed by court proceedings. As investigations continue, police said forensic links remain central to establishing whether further charges will be laid and whether additional suspects will be identified.
These developments come amid ongoing calls in communities across KwaZulu‑Natal for improved safety measures for women travelling at night and stronger co‑operation between SAPS, municipal officials and community groups to reduce risks around taverns and informal transport routes.
More details are expected after the suspects’ first court appearances and as investigators finalise statements and charge sheets.
