Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
30 July 2024
Themba Prince Shongwe, the alleged serial rapist and murderer, re-appeared before the Secunda Magistrate Court on Tuesday, 23 July 2024 for the continuation of his trial on the murder and rape of young girls in eMbalenhle, Ext. 16 and 17, between the years 2016 and 2018.
Shongwe is linked to the crimes through DNA found on three victims.
On the witness stand, Themba maintained the DNA that linked him to the cases are not his.
He further alleged that the DNA results could have been tempered with. Shongwe further said he was surprised that he is now linked through DNA to three girls, whereas he was initially charged for the rape and murder of five young girls.
Shongwe went on to say the computers that produced these DNA results were man-made, therefore they could be programmed to produce desired results by the state.
State prosecutor Tracy Kaan put it to the accused that the chain statement of each victim was different. Tracy went on to explain to shongwe the process of how DNA is collected and how he was linked through DNA in the three cases.
The court was then adjourned to Wednesday, 31 July 2024, for further proceedings due to time constraints.
