A 34-year-old man, believed to be responsible for the deaths of seven women, abandoned his right to apply for bail in a Seshego court, on Monday.
Zim man accused of murdering seven women
The suspect, known only as Themba Dube, appeared briefly at the Seshego Magistrate’s Court, on Monday, facing multiple charges of kidnapping, murder, rape, defeating the ends of justice and robbery.
As reported by Sowetan Live, Dube appeared on the radar of Limpopo detectives after he “was initially arrested for possession of a suspected stolen cellphone which police later established through investigations that it belonged to a woman who was allegedly kidnapped in Lebowakgomo last month.”
“When the initial investigations pointed to the possible involvement of a serial killer whose modus operandi was to lure women and promise them employment, the provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe ordered that a team of investigators be established to probe the disappearance of women in the Capricorn District,” police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo revealed.
With Dube in police custody for the stolen cellphone charge, detectives increased their efforts in tracking down the missing women and it all paid off when the bodies of the seven missing persons were found in different locations in Seshego, Polokwane, Mankweng and Westenburg.
The victims, identified as; Sarah Moitswadi Mathiba; Moleboheng Mothibeli; Eva Khomotso Makhura; Mpho Sanah Sinyatsi; Andrea Cholo; Chisimango Gumbo; and Jane Letswalo, were positively recognised by their respective families.
The 34-year-old suspect linked to the murders opted out of contesting for bail, and thus, will remain in police custody until his next court appearance which is scheduled for Thursday 27 January 2022.
Regarding the work of the police, Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe said:
“The work of the investigating team is highly commendable and will send a clear message to criminals that the police are more than determined to hunt down all perpetrators of Gender Based Violence and Femicide.”
