Suspected serial killer appears in court in South Africa

Advertisement

Advertise with us

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African women’s rights groups and sex workers demonstrated outside a Johannesburg court on Tuesday as a 21-year-old man appeared in connection with the discovery of six decomposed bodies believed to be those of sex workers.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/10/2022 (1429 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African women’s rights groups and sex workers demonstrated outside a Johannesburg court on Tuesday as a 21-year-old man appeared in connection with the discovery of six decomposed bodies believed to be those of sex workers.

The man appeared in the dock with his face covered by a black cloth to hide his identity.

He was arrested last week when police discovered the bodies at a car repair workshop in downtown Johannesburg while investigating the disappearance of one sex worker who was allegedly last seen with the suspect.

Nozipho Dlamini, who represents the Sisterhood Foundation that deals with women issues, speaks to The Associated Press during a demonstration outside the magistrate court in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022. South African women’s rights groups and sex workers demonstrated outside a Johannesburg court on Tuesday where a 21-year-old man appeared in connection with the discovery of six decomposed bodies believed to be those of sex workers. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Nozipho Dlamini, who represents the Sisterhood Foundation that deals with women issues, speaks to The Associated Press during a demonstration outside the magistrate court in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022. South African women’s rights groups and sex workers demonstrated outside a Johannesburg court on Tuesday where a 21-year-old man appeared in connection with the discovery of six decomposed bodies believed to be those of sex workers. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

According to the police, some of the bodies were found with their hands tied and they had evidently been in the building for a long period of time.

The man is expected to take part in an identity lineup on Friday. An initial lineup was abandoned when a police official assigned to conduct it was not available, according to prosecutors.

A group of sex workers attended the court case and jeered when the man entered the court, demanding that the cloth hiding his face be removed. Some of them hid their own identity as they are expected to be witnesses in the case.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the victims’ families were yet to be informed as DNA tests were still being conducted.

“At this stage we don’t have any of the deceased persons that have been identified positively, that process is still ongoing,” she said.

The demonstrators brandished placards with slogans calling for the decriminalization of sex work and the protection of sex workers.

Nozipho Dlamini, who represents the Sisterhood Foundation that deals with women issues, said areas where sex workers operate should be made safer.

“As a community, we prefer that wherever they are, the streets and the properties where they stay need to be protected,” said Dlamini.

The suspect is expected to appear in court again on Oct. 25.

Report Error Submit a Tip

World

LOAD WORLD ARTICLES