Pretoria – An alleged serial rapist, who was due to appear in court on charges of raping 34 children and two women, has committed suicide in his cell shortly before his appearance.
The 42-year-old man, Sifiso Makhubo, was an awaiting trial detainee and was to have appeared in the Johannesburg High Court sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court on Thursday on 122 charges relating to rape, kidnapping, murder, robbery and attempted murder because he allegedly raped his victims knowing he was HIV positive.
The crimes took place in the Kathorus area during 2006. He was arrested in 2011.
Johannesburg Regional National Prosecution Authority spokesperson Phindi Louw told SAnews they were still awaiting the full details as to how the man died.
“We have sent an investigation officer to get more details as to how the man had committed suicide,” she said, adding that they had only received a report about his death thus far.
According to Louw, the man was being kept at Johannesburg Prison.
Correctional Services spokesperson, Ofense Morwane, confirmed the incident, saying a joint investigation between the South African Police Service and Correctional Services was underway.
“Our preliminary investigation shows that the man has committed suicide using a piece of a blanket,” Morwane said.
According to Morwane, Makhubo was found dead in his cell this morning. It is suspected that he might have committed suicide last night. – SAnews.gov.za
