DNA evidence links Durban security guard to alleged rapes dating back to 2014 - IOL

A Durban security guard accused of multiple rapes has been linked through DNA to 18 cases dating back to 2014. He abandoned his bail application and remains in custody.

A Durban security guard accused of multiple rapes has been linked through DNA to 18 cases dating back to 2014.

The man, who cannot be named following a court order, allegedly moved in and out of the offices of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) — guarding the very institution tasked with prosecuting criminals.

This emerged at the Durban Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

According to reliable sources, the accused was employed as a security guard by a company contracted to provide security services at several courts in Durban, as well as the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) offices in the Durban CBD.

The sources said he was fired in February for alleged insubordination.

During Monday’s proceedings, State prosecutor Siphelele Ndlela told the court that an identification parade that had been planned would not advance the State’s case because the accused had already been linked to the alleged offences through DNA evidence.

Ndlela also revealed that the State had added several charges and redrafted the charge sheet.

The accused initially faced 15 counts of rape. The State has since added three further counts of rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, housebreaking with intent to rape, kidnapping, common assault, robbery with aggravating circumstances and theft.

Ndlela applied for the media to be barred from publishing the accused’s name or taking photographs of him, saying his alleged victims did not know him, while he knew who they were.

She told the court that identifying the accused publicly could jeopardise the State’s case and potentially affect the victims’ testimony.

“By them knowing who he is will somehow jeopardize even their testimony,” Ndlela said.

She further urged the court to protect the alleged victims, warning that knowing the identity of the accused could make them fearful of testifying.

“The fear of them knowing who the accused is might impact them and fear coming to testify in court,” she said.

Ndlela said the police had initially been unable to identify the suspect and that DNA evidence had linked the different cases to the same individual.

A reliable source said investigators only managed to identify the accused after he allegedly stole a cellphone belonging to one of the victims. 

“It was only until he stole the cellphone of one of his victims that the police were able to trace him,” the source said.

The State indicated that it was ready to proceed with the accused’s bail application. However, he abandoned his application for bail.

Ndlela further told the court that the matter would be referred to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), where it would be handled through prosecutor-guided investigation until the indictment stage.

The matter is regarded as a High Court case.

The accused remains in custody and the matter was postponed to October 28.