Serial rapist and murderer Themba Dube was this week sentenced to eight life terms plus 88 years in jail by the high court in Polokwane.
The 36-year-old was found guilty of two counts of rape, six counts of murder, five counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, one count of extortion, one count of theft, one count of possession of stolen property, and one count for being an illegal immigrant.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said: “The accused came to the Republic of South Africa without a passport or permit in 2008.
“He was initially arrested on October 26 2021 for being in possession of a suspected stolen cellphone that belonged to a woman who was kidnapped in Lebowakgomo.
“The accused was in custody when the investigations led to the discovery of four bodies of women dumped at different locations in the Capricorn district, and he pointed out seven places where he had killed the deceased persons.
“Before his arrest, he phoned the deceased’s relatives and demanded R1 000 for their release.
“During investigations, the belongings of some of the deceased were found inside the accused rented room in Seshego Zone 3.”
During trial, state witnesses told the court that Dube introduced himself to his victims as David or Prince, and made promises about false job opportunities.
He took his victims to the bushes near Polokwane Airport, Peter Mokaba Stadium, Dendron Road, Matlala Road, and Blood River where they were raped, robbed and killed.
State advocate Calvin Chauke told the court that the accused did not show remorse, and pleaded with the court to take into consideration that the women were vulnerable members of society.
He further said a week does not go by without a woman being raped and killed in many parts of the country.
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