A 32-year old man was handed nine life sentences by the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Friday.
The man, dubbed the railway rapist by Pietermaritzburg media, will serve the nine life sentences consecutively for each of the nine rapes to which he pleaded guilty.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokeswoman Natasha Ramkisson said Stembiso Eric Hlophe was also sentenced to five years for the robberies and nine years for an attempted rape.
Police were quoted in the Witness newspaper on Wednesday as saying that the man had lured his victims with promises of getting them employment.
According to Ramkisson, his attacks took place between February 15 and April 13.
The Witness reported on Wednesday that the man was arrested on Sunday while having a drink at a tavern in the city.
Police believed he had been fishing for his next victim at the time.
His victims were aged between 22 and 43-years-old. - Sapa