After months of intense trauma and pain, the Rhodes Park double murder and rape case came to a conclusion on 31 March.
Judge Papi Mosopa sentenced the trio, Thabo Nkala‚ Edmore Ndlovu and Mduduzi Mathibela to two life sentences for rape, two more life sentences for murder and another 15 years imprisonment for robbery.
The victims and family of the deceased shared praise and shed tears of joy after Mosopa concluded the sentence.
“We are happy that our justice system did not fail us. It’s been a year since my brother passed on but we are still grieving and we miss him. His absence is noticed because he was the breadwinner. Maybe now we can find peace knowing that those who are responsible are in jail,” said Thokozile Kele, sister of the deceased Zukisa Kele.
During sentencing, Mosopa described the incident as barbaric and a violation of the victims’ human rights. He also revealed that the surviving victims were suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the incident.
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Watch: Jabu Mnatha speaks
One of the rape survivors, Jabu Mbatha, said her life has changed and will never be the same again. “I’m happy with the court’s sentence but that will never bring back what they have taken from me. I now live in fear because I still think of the remaining nine [men]. My door is always locked because I don’t trust anyone,” explained Mbatha.
Siphokazi Tyeke also said she is pleased with the sentence and will try to take her life back. “I thank God that they are getting what they deserve. It has not been easy trying to overcome the trauma they have put us through. Now it’s time for me to take back my life and move on,” said Tyeke.
Both victims gave Joburg East Express permission to use their names.
MEC for Community Safety, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane was at the sentencing to lend her support to the victims and family. “We welcome the sentence… in the Rhodes Park case. We hope the sentencing of the three men sends a strong message to criminals out there. The criminal justice system will not hesitate to impose harsher sentences for those found guilty of such atrocious crimes,” she said.
Read: UPDATE: 3 guilty of Rhodes Park murders
“With these results in this case, we hope the family of the deceased and the victims will find closure.”
Nkosi-Malobane also applauded the police and Ikhaya Lethemba, the provincial flagship project of the Department of Community Safety, for the thorough investigation and the support provided to the victims.
Cleveland Police Station’s Detective Warrant Officer Bruce van der Schyff, the investigating officer in the case said, “We, as the Cleveland team, are relieved because we worked tirelessly on the case. To get such a harsh sentence [makes us] happy.”
He mentioned that the fourth suspect is still in Zimbabwe and the police are working to bring him back to South Africa. The nine more suspects are also still at large. The police will not stop until they are found, said Van der Schyff.
Read: First CCTV camera unveiled in Rhodes Parks
Ikhaya Lethemba will be working with the victims and the family on their road to recovery.
“We no longer calling Siphokazi and Jabu victims but survivors. The two women have lost so much and we will be guiding them on how to take their lives back. As the judge said they are taking medication for post-traumatic stress disorder, and we will be supporting them by giving them coping skills. Also, we will be offering to counsel the families of the deceased,” said Merita Ground.
Visit out website www.joburgeastexpress.co.za to read more on the Rhodes Park double murder case.
