Family struggling to come to terms with death of alleged Tinder serial rapist victim

One of the families of the alleged Tinder serial rapist’s murder victims says they are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their loved one.

Helder Isidro appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court today, where he faces charges relating to the murder of at least two women and the sexual assault of dozens of others.

The 36-year-old was arrested following multiple complaints of sexual violence and murder. Prosecutors allege Isidro used dating apps, including Tinder, and social media to lure women to his home, where he allegedly raped them, robbed them, and in some cases, murdered them.

Some survivors have told police they were taken to isolated areas near Watloo Train Station, where they were allegedly raped at gunpoint before being robbed.

Two families have publicly accused Isidro of murdering their daughters, insisting he should remain behind bars. Among the alleged victims is 30-year-old Loveness Magabe, whose charred remains were found buried in a shallow grave in Isidro’s Eersterust yard days after she was reported missing in August. A month earlier, 35-year-old Nicole Musengi was also allegedly murdered.

The Musengi family says life since Nicole’s death has been devastating. Her younger sister, Juliet Musengi, who now helps care for Nicole’s children, says the family is struggling to heal.

“Things have been so difficult since we lost her. The children are not coping at school — one even failed. We are heartbroken. We lost our backbone,” she said.

Juliet added that their mother has suffered severe depression and frequent hospitalisation since Nicole’s death and is now bedridden with respiratory complications. She says the burden has been especially heavy as she navigates school admissions for the children while caring for her critically ill mother.

Meanwhile rights groups in Eersterust have called on police and the courts to act swiftly. Eersterust Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Brigade front-runner Falencia Bernades warned that community frustration is growing over repeated delays.

“He took an innocent life. The pain families are living with is immeasurable. Justice must take place,” she said.

Bernades urged authorities to ensure Isidro remains in custody in the interest of community safety, especially for children.

Not In My Name’s Themba Masango echoed the call, warning against delays in justice.

“Justice delayed feels like justice denied. We want to see the perpetrator behind bars for a very long time,” he said.

Isidro has been in custody since early August and is expected to return to court for trial on 9 April, for further investigation, as the State seeks to consolidate all allegations against him into a single trial.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao