Alleged serial killer to appear in Middelburg court

Alleged serial killer and rapist Sello Phalane will appear in the Middelburg High Court on Monday on five counts of murder, rape and robbery, said Limpopo police.

"The man allegedly raped, robbed and killed five women between 2008 and 2009 around the Dennilton area," Lt-Col Mohale Ramatseba said on Friday.

He was arrested at Diskom taxi rank in Zebediela in September 2009, while selling CDs, Ramatseba said.

Eva Lekalakala, 41, was the first of his alleged victims and was killed in June 2008.

Her remains were found at Spitpunt, in Dennilton. She was later identified through DNA tests, said Ramatseba.

Josephine Manamela, 38, was killed in August 2008 and her decomposed body was found at Ga Maria village between Vall Bank and Dennilton.

In February of 2009, the naked body of an unknown woman, around 30, was found in the bushes at Driefontein in Dennilton.

The remains of Margaret Seretlo, 41, were found at Driefontein in Dennilton in July 2009, as were those of Elizabeth Kobe, 36.

The trial is set down from Monday until Friday.

Phalane was not granted bail and remains in police custody.