By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The case against a man who was arrested after police discovered six decomposing body at a building in Johannesburg Central has been remanded in custody until 18 October 2022 pending an identity parade.
The suspect made his first appearance at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on charges of six counts of murder on Tuesday.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the suspect is only facing one count of murder, instead of six as was earlier stated by the police.
Mjonondwane added that once further investigations are complete, more charges may be added.
The man was arrested on Sunday after police found six decomposing bodies in a makeshift panel beater in Johannesburg central.
The bodies are believed to be those of sex workers who had gone missing since June around the same area.
People who worked in the area and had interactions with the suspect described him as an introvert and found it difficult to think he was accused of having committed such a heinous crime.
They said he was a loner who did not speak to anyone. Even the car washer where he used to take his car to.
None of the people ever saw him walking in the building that used to be a boots manufacturing factory, with any females or anyone.
Speaking to SABC, the suspect’s father said he saw on CCTV footage that it was his son who had committed the murder.
“I feel like I want to disown him really, I do not even want anybody to attach me to him because things of that character are far away from me,” said the father.
He said the fact that he killed six people showed that his actions were intentional. He vowed not to support him through the trial.