A 37-year-old man is expected to appear before the Mahlabathini Magistrates' Court on charges of raping 12 women over a period spanning several years in the Ulundi area of KwaZulu-Natal. The suspect was apprehended on 8 November 2017 by members of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit following an intensive manhunt.
Years of terror along Ulundi railway line
Investigators believe the accused had been preying on women working at Ulundi Plaza since 2012, specifically targeting those finishing late-night shifts. According to authorities, the man would lie in wait for his victims along the railway line near the Mbhoshongweni area before ambushing them.
Each victim was threatened with either a knife or a firearm before being dragged into nearby bushes where the sexual assaults took place. The attacks continued until 2016, leaving the community gripped by fear.
In 2015, the suspect was taken into custody on a rape charge and brought before the courts. However, the case was withdrawn due to a lack of sufficient evidence at the time. Crucially, biological samples were collected from the man and submitted for DNA testing during that process.
It was those DNA results that ultimately proved to be the suspect's undoing. Forensic analysis linked him to 12 separate rape cases committed in the same vicinity, prompting detectives from the FCS Unit to launch a determined search for the man. He was tracked down and arrested on 8 November 2017 in Ulundi, with formal charges laid on 9 November.
Provincial police leadership commends investigators
KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Bheki Langa expressed his satisfaction with the work carried out by the investigating team.
"Our police will ensure that all criminals targeting the vulnerable women and children will be removed from the community."
The arrest has been welcomed as a significant breakthrough in efforts to combat gender-based violence in the province. The FCS Unit's persistence in pursuing forensic leads, despite the earlier setback in court, has been credited with finally bringing the suspect to justice.
The accused faces 12 counts of rape and is expected to remain in custody pending his court appearance. Authorities have urged anyone with further information related to the case to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation.
The arrest of a serial rapist linked to 12 attacks near Ulundi highlights the persistent threat of gender-based violence facing women in rural KwaZulu-Natal communities, particularly those travelling alone after work. For local businesses, the case underscores the need for safer transport options and infrastructure around commercial areas. The successful use of DNA evidence to secure charges years after initial setbacks may strengthen public confidence in forensic-led policing and encourage more survivors to report similar crimes.
