A Bachelor of Science student at University of Venda stood with his head dipped as magistrate Olga Sigwavhulimu read out 16 counts, including four murders, before a packed Thohoyandou magistrates court in Limpopo today.
Outside court, about 1000 protesters gathered to see the alleged "campus serial killer".
The 24-year-old is facing four counts of murder, one of attempted murder, five counts of rape, three counts of aggravated robbery and three counts of kidnapping.
He is accused of killing, raping, robbing as well as kidnapping Livhuwani Mmbodi,22, Tshililo Ndou, 9, Alice Mashao, 8, and Brenda Ndobe, 45, between March and June this year.
Their bodies were found dumped in and around the University of Venda campus in Thohoyandou.
The suspect opted for state legal representation and the case was postponed to October 21 for further investigation.
Public order police battled to control the crowd packing the public gallery and the alley of court room D, as well as outside, where students and community members demanded a life sentence for the suspect if he is found guilty.
- Read our full report in The Times newspaper tomorrow
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