Durban – A 36-year old man accused of being the Tongaat serial rapist appeared briefly in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court, north of Durban, on Tuesday.

National Prosecuting Authority spokeswoman Natasha Ramkisson said the matter was postponed to July 30 for a bail application.

Sphiwe Patrick Khoza is accused of raping and murdering three women whose bodies were found in sugar cane fields near the town of Tongaat.

The Mercury newspaper reported on Monday that the body of Phindile Ndlovu, a domestic worker, was found in Tongaat on May 31.

The partly burnt body of Philisiwe Hlatshwayo, 44, was found by sugar cane staff investigating a fire, believed to have been started by Khoza.

The body of a third woman was reportedly found on June 8. The body was burnt beyond recognition and the woman had yet to be identified.

Khoza was alleged to have strangled the women after raping them.

Residents protested outside the court.

Ramkisson said Khoza faced three charges of murder, one of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and four of theft.

He was arrested in Cape St Francis, in the Eastern Cape, at the weekend. – Sapa