By OBAKENG MAJE
The case against the alleged serial rapist in Wolmaransstad has been postponed to 16 October 2023 by the North West High Court sitting Klerksdorp for trial. Johannes Ontsheketse Tshabile (43) is facing 22 charges of rape, 9 of robbery with aggravating circumstances, 5 of attempted murder, 17 of assault, 7 of attempted robbery, and 5 of theft.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, all 65 charges are related to incidents that occurred between December 2012 and May 2018 in Wolmaransstad. Mamothame said the suspect 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. He was apprehended in 2019 after evading arrest and the court denied him bail,” he said.
Mamothame further said both the state and Tshabile’s defense attorney, assured the 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.
The Guardian 