The High Court of South Africa; North West Division, sitting at the Klerksdorp Regional Court, postponed the case against one of the worst serial rapists, Johannes Ontsheketse Tshabile (43), will finally stand
National Prosecuting Authority's North West Division, Regional Spokesperson, Henry Mamothame , said the date set for trial is from October 16.
Tshabile faces 22 charges of rape, nine of robbery with aggravating circumstances, five of attempted murder, 17 of assault, seven of attempted robbery and five of theft.
All 65 charges are related to incidents that occurred between December 2012 and May 2018, at Wolmaransstad in the district of Maquassi Hills, whereat Tshabile would allegedly accost unsuspecting women holding a knife or a sharp object, and start threatening them.
He would subsequently assault, rob and rape them before fleeing the scene.
In some instances, he allegedly would confront women walking in a group and start throwing objects at them, ordering them to run. He would thereafter target one of them, assault, strangle and rape the victim.
Evidence gathered indicates that in some instances he was assisted by an unknown accomplice, who is yet to be arrested. Tshabile was apprehended in 2019 after evading arrest and the court denied him bail.
Both the state and his defence attorney assured Judge President, Ronald Hendricks, that all documents relating to the trial have been shared and both are ready to proceed.
Meanwhile, Tshabile will remain in police custody until the matter is concluded.
