Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
17 February 2023
The alleged serial rapist and murderer, Themba Prince Shongwe from eMbalenhle appeared before the Secunda Magistrate Court on Thursday, 16 February in his ongoing trial for the rape and murder of young girls in Ext. 16 and 17 between the years 2016 and 2018
The state currently has Sargent Malapela who is the investigation officer. On a previous occasion, Malapela was on the stand. He testified by showing visuals of how the girl’s bodies were disposed of in a pattern of the same manner.
Malapela further showed DNA samples used at the crime scenes.
On 16 February 2023 the state prosecutor asked the magistrate for a postponement of the matter as they were still awaiting transcripts from Sargent Malapela’s testimony.
The magistrate therefore agreed to the postponement of the matter to 05 April 3023, giving the prosecutor only two weeks to get hold of the transcripts.
Shongwe remains in custody.
