Independent Newspapers
Siphiwe Khoza, the alleged Tongaat cane fields strangler crouches down in the dock at the Verulam Magistrate’s Court. Picture: Puri Devjee
Durban – Siphiwe Patrick Khoza, the man suspected of being the Tongaat cane fields strangler, could face more charges, the Verulam Magistrate’s Court heard on Tuesday.
The details emerged when the State told the court that investigations were nearing a close and the accused could face two more charges, in addition to the three murder charges and the charges of theft and robbery with aggravating circumstances, he already faced.
Khoza, who rented a flat opposite the police station in Tongaat, was arrested in St Francis Bay in the Eastern Cape last Sunday after a massive manhunt.
He is accused of murdering Phindile Ndlovu, a Hillcrest domestic worker, whose body was found in Tongaat on May 31.
Police believe he is connected to the murder of Philisiwe Hlatshwayo whose burnt body was found in a sugar cane field in Tongaat last month.
The third victim has been identified as Bongiwe Majozi, a teacher who, it was alleged, was lured by Khoza through social media, her family said in court on Tuesday.
Khoza, 36, was escorted by more than a dozen policemen while hundreds of protesters gathered outside.
Attorney Zanele Ndaba, acting for Khoza, said her client was not told of his right to remain silent and his confession to the police was made under duress.
Khoza’s pointing out of where the crimes allegedly took place and the confession would be challenged by the defence, the court heard.
Khoza, through Ndaba, asked to be moved from the Tongaat police station’s holding cells to Westville Prison, saying he had been assaulted by the policemen and was kept in chains, and had not showered since his arrest.
State advocate Sajra Subroyen said that Khoza had told the police he wanted to confess and appeared “stressed” about the charges he was facing.
She said the State was waiting for “technical evidence” and DNA results.
The matter was postponed to August 29.
The Mercury
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