Cape Town – A 16-year manhunt has ended with the arrest of a 36-year-old man who police say has been linked through DNA evidence to the alleged rape of 14 women in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
The suspect was arrested by Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit detectives in the Ncotshane area of Nongoma on Sunday.
According to police, the alleged rape spree began in Mahlabathini in January 2010, when the suspect was arrested following the alleged rape of a woman.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the suspect was later released on bail but allegedly absconded from court.
“Whilst out on bail, he allegedly raped seven women in Pongola, four women in Primrose and Germiston in Gauteng province, and one woman each in Paulpietersburg and Magudu policing precincts,” Netshiunda said.
Police said evidence collected during the suspect’s initial arrest was later used to connect him to the other cases through DNA analysis.
“During his arrest in 2010, police did due diligence in collecting evidence, and investigations linked him to all the cases through DNA analysis,” Netshiunda said.
The suspect allegedly targeted women who were alone at home, breaking through windows or doors before threatening them with a knife.
KwaZulu-Natal SAPS spokesperson Robert Netshiunda says the suspected serial rapist linked to the rapes of 14 women was first arrested in 2010 for a similar case, released on bail, and subsequently failed to appear in court. The police say he continued to rape women in KZN and… pic.twitter.com/cnEXwkvaMz
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 21, 2026
He is expected to appear in the Mahlabathini Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 21 September, in connection with his failure to appear in court in 2010.
Police said he would thereafter face formal charges relating to the other 13 alleged rape cases.
The arrest comes as specialised police units in KwaZulu-Natal also investigate another suspected serial rapist who was arrested in Cato Manor last week.
The 46-year-old suspect is allegedly linked through DNA evidence to 16 attacks across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Police allege that he followed women from taverns to their homes before assaulting them, while in other cases he allegedly broke into homes and attacked women who were alone.
Netshiunda said investigators used DNA analysis and profiling to connect the suspect to the cases.
“This suspect thought he could hide behind disguises and intimidation, but our teams never stopped connecting the dots,” he said.
“Through DNA analysis and careful profiling, we were able to link him to multiple cases and bring him to justice.”
The 46-year-old is expected to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges including rape, housebreaking and attempted murder.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
