A serial rapist (names withheld) has been sentenced to life imprisonment after a protracted trial period.
The rapist, 26, whose case was on for three consecutive years, was eventually convicted by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court which was sitting at Graskop.
The court heard how the accused sadistically and violently subjected women to a terrific life in society. He is said to have been operating in the Sabie area where he preyed on his victims aged between 15 and 51, in May, as well as in June, 2018.
Police spokesman, Brigadier Leonard Hlathi, said the accused, in his operation, “allegedly did not consider the pain and agony that his young and innocent victims were going through, let alone tarnishing their future.
“He carried out his evil mission, raping defenceless women and children armed with a knife. Seven cases of rape were registered by the police against his name.
“After the increasing outcry and mounting of rape cases in the area, the police conducted their probe and launched an intensive search for the suspect.
“During their investigation, they discovered that the suspect would normally drag his victims from the streets and then take them to the nearby bushes against their will, where he raped them.
“When carrying out these evil acts, he used to blindfold his victims with a cloth and instructed them not to look at him. He would also make sure that he had covered his face with a balaclava throughout the whole drama.
” In February 2019, police made a breakthrough in their investigation when they arrested him for the offences he had committed. The matter went to court where he was finally sentenced on 12 February 2021, for the seven cases of rape, hence his sentencing as follows:
“On the count of raping the minors, the accused was sentenced to two life sentences.
“On the other five counts of rape, he was lashed with 15 years to languish in prison for each count, adding up to a total of 75 years imprisonment.
“The court has ordered that for the purpose of sentence, the 75 year jail term will run concurrently with the two life sentences and the accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. Furthermore his name will be entered into the register of sexual offenders.”
Brigadier Hlathi also said that the Provincial Commissioner of South African Police Service, in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, was elated about this hefty sentence that has been imposed upon the man.
“The General has also applauded the sterling work done by the team of Detectives, the Prosecution team and the Judiciary.
“Our efforts in the fight against criminal acts committed to women and children is surely yielding positive results. We are hopeful that this sentence will reassure women in the society of our endeavours to harshly deal with violence perpetuated by evil men who disregard women and treat them as objects to be punished,” Brigadier Hlathi quoted the General as saying.
SOUTH AFRICA: Serial Rapist Bags Life Jail Term
