Tsakani graveyard rapist found guilty by Pretoria High Court
Petetona Abel Lebele was found guilty on four counts of rape and kidnapping.
Tsakani – The residents of Tsakani in Ekurhuleni breathed a sigh of relief after a man dubbed the graveyard rapist, Petetona Abel Lebele, was found guilty on all four counts of kidnapping and rape by the Pretoria High Court sitting at the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
During his rape campaign between January 2017 and August 2019, Petetona targeted victims aged seven, 13, 16, 26 and 32 on their way to school or home.
The 43-year-old’s first victim was the seven-year-old on January 19, 2017. The minor was going to school when he offered her sweets.
In his guilty plea, he told the court he would grab and drag the victims to the Tsakane Cemetery, where he would rape them.
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“The minor refused and attempted to run away, but I caught up with her and dragged her to the cemetery, where I raped and left her,” he told the court.
On August 19, 2019, he raped a 32-year-old with her two-year-old child on her back.
“Before raping her, I pushed the two-year-old from the mother’s back to the ground and proceeded to rape the mother,” he added.
The State prosecutor, Advocate Lawrence Sivhidzho, told the court that Petetona had two previous convictions. He was convicted of theft in 2015 and robbery in 2008 and was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
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OneStrong Voice Foundation’s Brian Sithole said they are satisfied with the verdict and hope Petetona gets a harsh, long sentence.
“We face a challenge of high cases of GBV in the area, and many have lost faith in our courts.
“During the trial, his victims and their families feared for their safety because they were threatened with their lives by Petetona.
“This will send a strong message to other potential rapists to re-think their actions,” he added.
The family of one of the victims said they are relieved there was a positive development in the case because it has dragged on for years.
“The victims will now focus on healing and rebuilding their lives,” she said.
The matter was postponed to April 24 for sentencing.
