Alleged Rhodes Memorial rapist had previous convictions - State

14 March 2016

Cape Town – The man arrested for the rape of a woman near Rhodes Memorial had previous convictions, it was confirmed in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on Monday.

The State has indicated it would be opposing bail in the case against the 35-year-old suspect, who they said had been behind bars before, did not have a fixed address and was also possibly linked to other incidents within the vicinity.

The man has requested legal aid representation.

The accused stared straight ahead as he stood in the dock, after failing to find a familiar face in the public gallery.

The suspect was arrested on Saturday at a hideout on the slopes of Table Mountain.

He faced a charge of rape in connection with an incident that occurred on November 19, 2015.

A 23-year-old woman was accosted and raped at the bottom of the local landmark and robbed of her personal belongings.

The latest attack was on Tuesday when a woman was running along the Princess Ann cycling path. She was threatened with a knife and forced into the bushes where she was raped. 

Her rapist kept her there for hours and then made her walk with him to a garage. She managed to escape and was admitted to hospital. 

The matter was postponed to March 18 to verify an address for a relative of the accused and a formal bail application.

He was remanded in custody.

This article first appeared on News24 – see here.