Trial of “serial rapists” Thembisa and Dayveton begins in August – LNN

The trial of a former Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) security guard facing 145 charges, including rape and kidnapping, has been scheduled for August 26 to September 20.

The trial will begin 19 months after the arrest of the man described as the Dayveton/Thembisa serial rapist.

The 38-year-old appeared briefly again in the Benoni Regional Court on May 7, where it was confirmed that charges had been laid and the case would be referred to the Gauteng Division of the High Court, which sits in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court.

The charges he is currently facing include 44 counts of rape, 43 counts of kidnapping, 41 counts of having a firearm and 17 other counts of fraud, obstruction of justice, compelling a person to witness a sexual act, contravening the South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995 and contravening the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.

He is believed to have been active from 2018 until his final arrest on January 22, 2023.

The arrest followed a joint investigation by the Domestic Violence and Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units of the Benoni and Tembisa SAPS.

160 witnesses are expected to testify, including 47 alleged victims.