Andre Gregory Mahomed, the notorious serial rapist who terrorised Durban and Pretoria in the late 1990s, is once again seeking freedom after serving over two decades behind bars. The 54-year-old, labelled a "manipulative psychopath" by authorities, has been making a series of bids for parole since 2016, with his latest application currently being considered by Durban Regional Court Magistrate Sharon Marks.
Mahomed's crimes, which included the rape of 43 young "white women", earned him an indefinite prison sentence in 2001, a sentence that was later upheld in 2021 after a review by Magistrate Marks. Despite this, the Department of Correctional Services has supported his latest parole application, stating that he is a candidate for correctional supervision, which would involve house detention with specific conditions.
However, this latest bid for freedom has faced opposition from social workers and the public. A social worker, who investigated Mahomed's circumstances, produced a pre-sentencing report for the KwaZulu-Natal Social Development Department, recommending that he continue serving his sentence.
The social worker's report, which was presented to Magistrate Marks, paints a chilling picture of Mahomed's past and his potential risk to the community. Mahomed, who dropped out of school in Grade 9, began engaging in criminal activity in his youth, influenced by friends. He claimed that his involvement in crime was not driven by financial need, as his mother was very supportive. However, his criminal activity escalated after his marriage deteriorated, leading to his first sexual offence.
"Regarding his first sexual offence, he said he initially never sought to rape his victim, but intended to steal from her, but became aroused when he caught sight of her," the social worker's report stated. "He said he felt powerful after the incident, and that his further offences occurred after arguments with his wife, which left him feeling belittled."
While Mahomed claims to have gained insight into his past behaviour and the impact it had on his victims through therapy, the social worker's report highlights concerns about his potential for re-offending. The report also notes that Mahomed's sister, who he hopes to live with upon release, is apprehensive about monitoring him closely around women and female children.
"The sister said she had good relations with her neighbours and they might not be approving, considering her brother’s criminal history," the report stated. "She was also apprehensive about monitoring her brother closely around women and female children."
The Department of Correctional Services, while supporting Mahomed's parole application, acknowledges the need for further rehabilitation. They indicated in their report that Mahomed will be assessed by certified social workers to determine the further programmes he needs for his rehabilitation and will engage in community projects when released.
However, the public, particularly those who were directly affected by Mahomed's crimes, remain apprehensive about his potential release. The victims of his crimes, who endured years of trauma and fear, are likely to be deeply concerned about the prospect of him being released back into society.
Magistrate Marks is now tasked with the difficult decision of whether to grant Mahomed parole or to uphold his indefinite sentence. She will carefully consider all submissions made in this latest application, including the reports from the social worker, the Department of Correctional Services, and the public prosecutor.
