How Nkandla's alleged rape 'Houdini' was caught by traditional healer
This week the rural village of Hlosane in Nkandla in northern KwaZulu-Natal and social media were gripped by a serial rape suspect who, like a modern-day Houdini, escaped police custody — only to be dramatically rearrested through a citizens' effort.
The suspect, accused of raping six teenage pupils, had terrorised high school girls renting rooms near Bizimali High School.
His most recent escape from custody — after feigning a seizure at Mariannhill police station spread fear through the community, forcing some students to abandon their dormitories and disrupting classes at the school.
At the centre of his capture was 33-year-old traditional healer Mnotho Xaba, who had unknowingly assisted the suspect weeks earlier.
Xaba is a popular traditional healer whose services are sought locally and nationally.
During an interview at the Dalton Hostel on Saturday he said he specialises in healing people, giving charms to those seeking love or money and those who want to strengthen themselves against their enemies.
'When I saw his picture trending on social media as an escaped serial rape suspect, I told people at the hostel, including his homeboys from Nkandla, that I knew him,' Xaba said.
The suspect had approached the healer saying he was seeking protection and strength after an altercation with the mother of his child and feared her brothers would attack him.
Xaba said he didn't know the suspect was wanted for the sexual attacks and had only paid him R1,000 of his [Xaba's] R5,000 fee.
On Thursday morning, while driving his child to school, Xaba received word a man in a big coat was looking for him.
'I couldn't believe my eyes — it was the same man. I kept him waiting while I alerted others, including people from Nkandla. We conducted a citizen's arrest and called the police, who arrived and took him into custody.'
The suspect's alleged reign of terror had prompted swift action from the Nkandla Taxi Owners Association, who formed a team and travelled more than 230km to his hideout in eTshelimnyama, Marianhill.
'We couldn't ignore the cries of the Bizimali High School pupils. But we were devastated when, after leaving him with the police, he lulled them to sleep and escaped. If not for the traditional healer, he would still be at large,' one taxi operator said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
5 hours ago
- The Herald
10 more SANDF officials arrested over murder and kidnapping of Hawks officer Frans Mathipa
Ten more South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members were arrested on Monday in connection with the murder of Lt-Col Frans Mathipa. Hawks spokesperson Lt-Col Christopher Singo said the 10 suspects handed themselves over to the Hawks serious organised crime investigation unit in Johannesburg. 'They are all SANDF members and face similar charges,' he said. The 10 suspects are expected to join the two soldiers who were arrested on Sunday at the Randburg magistrate's court on Monday. All the suspects face charges of murder and kidnapping. Mathipa was fatally shot while driving on the N1 near Hammanskraal in August 2023 when the assassins pulled up next to him and opened fire. The Sunday Times reported he had been investigating the abduction of alleged Isis leader Abdella Abadiga from the Mall of Africa in Johannesburg and was looking into suspicions that South African military special forces were involved. TimesLIVE
The Herald
5 hours ago
- The Herald
Security guard shot in patron fight at Durban pub
A security guard was shot and wounded in an attempt to disarm a patron at a popular Durban pub on Friday night. Pinto's Hillcrest said the shooting occurred at 10.30pm after an argument broke out among customers. 'A middle-aged patron was asked to leave by security after an argument broke out between customers. He left the property as instructed by security. Security assumed he had left, [but] he went to his vehicle and returned with a firearm. 'Security noticed the man returning and intercepted the patron, at which time they attempted to grab the firearm in defence. A single shot was discharged, hitting and wounding one security officer. The patron immediately exited the building and left the premises, and all necessary personnel were contacted.' ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said the man was in a critical condition when emergency services arrived on the scene. 'Just before 11pm ALS Paramedics responded to multiple calls for assistance. Paramedics arrived on the scene to find multiple security personnel as well as the police in attendance and were shown to the wounded patient. 'The male, believed to be in his 30s, had allegedly been shot in the abdomen after an altercation with a patron. The man was in a critical condition and he was stabilised on the scene by advanced life support paramedics before he was taken to hospital for urgent care.' TimesLIVE
The Herald
9 hours ago
- The Herald
Do your homework before investing your hard-earned money
Once again, hundreds of people have lost money they can ill afford to lose investing in what appeared to be a legitimate financial enterprise. All of them have now been left out of pocket, with some in dire financial straits as a result. The company's office in Greenacres is closed and its website is no longer accessible. The person running the operation also seems to be ducking and diving attempts from the complainants, as well as this newspaper, to obtain an explanation for what is looking more and more like a scam. Police are investigating after receiving numerous complaints. Unfortunately, trusting people have again allegedly been duped into putting money into an operation promising regular high returns and being left with nothing in the end. The real heartbreak, though, is that many investors either took out bank loans or used their pension payouts or life savings for the investments on the premise of quick returns. They have been left in a terrible position — no pension to sustain them, no nest egg for the future, bank loans to repay. There are more than 300 complainants on one WhatsApp group. The stories are heartrending. One man is going through a divorce he says is because of the money he lost, another investor has to beg for milk and bread from neighbours just to get by. A third is battling depression. Most complainants are from the Eastern Cape — Gqeberha mainly — with a few from Cape Town and Durban. Though the company, which started operating in 2024, did initially make some payouts, they seem to have stopped at the beginning of the year. Is it a scam? Only time will tell. If it was not a deliberate ploy to fleece the unsuspecting, the person who ran the scheme should come forward and explain what went wrong instead of going to ground and avoiding calls. We implore would-be investors in any financial enterprise, do your homework before parting with your money. Whatever claims are made on the website or in promotional material, check them thoroughly to test their veracity. The Herald
