The 23 rape charges a Cape Town man is facing are likely to increase after the prosecutor asked the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for more time to investigate new cases.

Advocate Nokuzola Mbewana indicated that he had been linked to more matters and these could be added to the charge sheet.

“The investigation in the previous matters is completed. We just need an investigation to be completed in the new matters and he is still to be charged in those matters.”

His Legal Aid Attorney Robyn Diedericks consulted him briefly, with the help of an interpreter.

He listened intently. His head was shaved and he wore a black windbreaker.

He has not yet pleaded to the 23 charges of rape, kidnapping and assault with grievous bodily harm in Delft and Khayelitsha, and therefore cannot be named.

Vigilantes killed four people originally suspected of the attacks, Independent Online reported previously.

Police made a breakthrough in May, when he was arrested on one crime. DNA evidence linked him to a multitude of unsolved cases.

The arduous task of tracing all the victims since the first case in 2011 is currently underway. Many have already been located.

While waiting for Magistrate Rieckerts to finish taking notes, the man, who originates from Eastern Cape, turned to look into the public gallery, his red eyes searching the benches for a familiar face.

He allegedly confronted his victims with a knife, demanding a cellphone. He dragged them into bushes and allegedly raped them.

His case was postponed to 27 October and he will remain in custody in prison.