Man sentenced to three life terms in prison for rape

In the first incident, on the morning of Sunday, December 21, 2014, the victim and her friend accepted a ride from an unknown driver at Phalaborwa Impala Stadium to a pub in Makhushane village. The accused, Chris Ramahlo, was in the vehicle, and together with the driver of the car, were heading to the same pub.

Upon reaching the pub, the victim asked if there was anyone who could lend her a jersey. Ramahlo said that he could help her, but he had to get it from a friend staying nearby. While the driver and the victim’s friend went into the pub, the accused and the victim proceeded to fetch the jersey from his supposed friend.

Also read: Rapist receives two life sentences after DNA link

On the way there, he produced a knife and threatened to stab the victim if she resisted. After raping her, he vanished and did not go back to the pub. The victim returned to the pub and told her friend what had happened to her who reported it to law enforcement. Further investigations led by Sgt Khazamula Mhlongo of the Phalaborwa Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) revealed that the accused was sought for another rape.

The accused and his accomplice had previously gang-raped two minors following a marathon event in July 2023 while he was on bail. His accomplice, however, was never arrested, and measures to arrest him are still in progress. The provincial commissioner of police, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe, has commended the investigating officer and all involved for work well done.