Sex workers working in fear after six bodies found in factory

A group of sex workers yesterday gathered outside the panel beater factory where six decomposing bodies were discovered by police on Sunday night. Itumeleng English African News Agency (ANA)

A group of sex workers yesterday gathered outside the panel beater factory where six decomposing bodies were discovered by police on Sunday night. Itumeleng English African News Agency (ANA)

Published Oct 11, 2022

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Police have confirmed the arrest of a 21-year- old suspect believed to be behind the rape and murder of six sex workers operating in Johannesburg CBD.

The man who cannot be named as he is yet to undergo an identity parade has been linked to the disappearance of at least seven women, six of whom were found at his family's panel beating factory in Selby, Johannesburg.

On Sunday, police said they were alerted to a foul smell coming from the factory in the area, and the discovery of the first body was made. Five more badly decomposed bodies were also discovered on further investigation.

Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili said a preliminary investigation led the police to the suspect, believed to be the last person seen with one of the deceased women.

"It is reported that on 2 October 2022 at 20.00, the suspect was seen with the deceased woman. She was never seen again until her body was discovered on Sunday morning. The clothes she was wearing matches the description of one of the missing persons reported recently. Upon questioning the suspect, the police went back to the building, and five more bodies were discovered outside the building, where there is a makeshift workshop and rubbish dumpsters," Muridili said.

Since this gruesome discovery, sex workers operating in Johannesburg CBD say they are now living in fear. Two survivors who almost fell victim to an alleged serial rapist said they were lucky to make it out alive after a brief encounter with the suspect.

Speaking to The Star, 20-year-old Regina Ndlovu (not her real name) said on hearing that six women had been found dead in Selby, which is just a stone's throw from where she last saw the suspect almost three months ago, she realised she could have died the same way six other women died.

" When I heard that six women were discovered here, I just knew that this is the same man who almost raped me almost three months ago. I just thank God that I managed to escape unhurt on that day," Ndlovu said.

Ndlovu said the suspect offered her R450 for her services, and she agreed, thinking it was a good deal.

"I agreed, and we then began walking. I then asked him where is his car. He told me the car was not necessary, but when I changed my mind, he became aggressive. That is when he grabbed me and began choking me. I screamed for help, and luckily a security guard rescued me. If it was not for the security guard, I do not know what would have happened to me," Ndlovu said.

Another survivor, who did not want her name to be revealed, said on the day she met the suspect, she was happy to be approached by a younger client. She agreed to a fee of R1,000, which she said was very generous.

"I thought I had found a Ben Ten who would take care of me, but when he refused to pay, I grabbed the car's steering wheel. The car lost control and almost crashed, and that is when I escaped what could have been the last day of my life. I just do not know what would have happened to me had we arrived at this factory here," the survivor said.

Another woman who refused to be named said he heard about the client who always came on Sundays to ask for a good time, adding that Sundays were his preferred days.

"He was so soft-spoken and well-groomed that you would not suspect anything wrong with him. He always came on Sundays and changed cars often. Clearly, this man was monied as he never complained. This is why it took a long time for us to realise there is a serial killer and rapist in our midst," she said.

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