DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal — Law enforcement agencies have achieved a major breakthrough with the arrest of two suspected serial rapists in KwaZulu-Natal, who are collectively linked to the brutal attacks on 30 women across multiple provinces. The apprehensions mark a significant victory for investigators, particularly as one of the suspects had been on the run after skipping bail more than a decade ago.
The first suspect, a 36-year-old man, was arrested on Sunday in Nongoma. He is linked to the rape of 14 women in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, with four of the cases occurring in Primrose and Jeppestown. KwaZulu-Natal SAPS spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda revealed that the suspect was initially arrested in 2010 for a single rape case. He was released on bail but failed to appear in court, prompting a warrant of arrest.
“Since 2010, police were looking for him, and the time that he was out, he continued raping 13 women, making it 14 in total,” Colonel Netshiunda explained. Investigators managed to link him to all the cases through DNA evidence. His modus operandi involved breaking doors and windows, and using a knife to threaten his victims. He is scheduled to appear at the Mbabathini Magistrate Court, initially for failing to appear in court in 2010, before facing formal charges for the remaining 13 rapes. Additional charges, including housebreaking, intimidation, and kidnapping, may be added.
Meanwhile, a second suspected serial rapist, a 46-year-old man, was arrested on Thursday and is expected to appear at the Durban Magistrate’s Court. He is linked to the rape of 16 women between 2014 and 2025. Operating primarily in KwaMashu, Taylor’s Halt, and Pietermaritzburg, his modus operandi mirrored the first suspect’s use of a knife. However, he specifically targeted women living alone, following them from taverns to their homes before breaking in to commit the assaults. He faces multiple charges of rape, attempted murder, and housebreaking.
In a separate but related update regarding violent crimes in the province, Colonel Netshiunda provided details on the investigation into an unidentified murdered woman found naked with her hands bound in the Copsville area of Pietermaritzburg. Due to severe decomposition, the body remains unrecognizable. While a family attempted to identify the victim last week and a woman recently appeared in a social media video claiming to be the deceased, police are strictly relying on DNA testing to confirm her identity.
“We don’t want to take a risk… we need to follow the process and the best way is DNA,” Colonel Netshiunda stated, emphasizing the need to hand over the body to the rightful family and avoid future disputes. He urged relatives of missing persons to come forward and provide DNA samples.
Addressing recent crime statistics, Colonel Netshiunda noted a slight decline in reported rape cases between April and June 2026. While he described the decrease as an encouraging sign, he stressed that areas like Inanda remain hotspots. “A rape of one woman is a rape too many,” he said.
He attributed the declining numbers to the successful apprehension of serial offenders, noting that removing individuals who have assaulted dozens of women significantly impacts the statistics. Concluding his remarks, the spokesperson called for community vigilance, particularly warning women against walking alone from taverns or consuming alcohol to the point of losing awareness of their surroundings. He also highlighted the challenges of policing informal areas with poor infrastructure, noting that some locations lack proper roads, making them dangerous and difficult to patrol.
Colonel Netshiunda urged the courts to impose heavy sentences to deter future crimes and ensure women no longer live in fear.
