GRASKOP – History was made on Friday when a rapist and human trafficker were sentenced to eight life sentences, which were ordered not to be served concurrently.
Although human trafficking is a relatively newly recognised crime, as the magistrate referred to it, it is increasing at an alarming rate and this sentence paved the way for future cases.
The trial of Lloyd Mabuza (62) and co-accused Violet Chauke (24) finally came to an end on Friday. They had abducted five girls and held them captive at Rhenosterhoek. The victims were sexually assaulted for four years before they were finally rescued. Magistrate Dr Andries Lamprecht visited Rhenosterhoek himself before delivering judgement on Friday.
“The village is located between Mbombela and Graskop in the middle of plantations. It is impossible to find it if someone does not direct you and, should you find yourself stranded there, you will probably not find the way out either. The people there live in appalling conditions. If it were ever reported that animals lived here, it would be a crime,” he said.
Mabuza maintained his innocence throughout the trial and stated that he could not be remorseful for acts he did not commit. His version was rejected by the court. “The defence’s argument is considered a lie. As for the second accused (Violet), you indicated in your plea explanation that you were unaware of what was happening to those girls, but that you did feel remorse when you realised what had been going on,” Lamprecht said after confirming both parties’ plea of innocence. Mabuza was convicted on four counts of human trafficking and four of rape before he was sentenced to eight life sentences in prison, while Chauke was found guilty on three counts of both crimes. She received a suspended sentence of 20 years and was ordered to be immediately deported to Mozambique. The reasoning for the great difference between these two sentences, tells a story that hits home: human trafficking is a reality and has been in our midst for years.
How the victim became the offender
Chauke was in preschool when she and her sister, Juliet, were trafficked to South Africa. Mabuza taught them how to serve as slaves for his sexual needs and they obliged. It was revealed during the trial that Violet gave birth to his child at the tender age of eight. The child was sent to Mozambique.
When she reached her late teen years, Mabuza lost interest in her and she was employed as a worker in the timber fields of his business.
Juliet had another job with which she sometimes assisted. When Mabuza grew tired of his “slaves”, as Lamprecht referred to the victims, he would order Juliet to go to Mozambique to collect younger girls, a duty for which she was paid.
The five who were brought to South Africa in 2008 were all very excited, eagerly awaiting their future, as Juliet had negotiated with them and their families. She told them that they were to accompany her to South Africa where they would attend a proper school and that she would take care of all the arrangements. The girls and their parents, some of whom were related to Juliet, grabbed this opportunity with both hands. They were smuggled across the border and taken to Rhenosterhoek, where Juliet and Violet taught them how to participate in Mabuza’s very particular rituals surrounding the sexual abuse to which they would be exposed for the next four years, until his arrest on December 18, 2012.
Lamprecht ruled that Violet had endured so much suffering at the hands of Mabuza that a lesser sentence was justified. “You yourself were a victim. You were not out on bail and spent the last two years in jail. You will be deported to Mozambique and must never commit such crimes again.”
The girls’ horrific ordeal at Rhenosterhoek
Senior State Advocate Isabet Erwee shed some light on what the five girls were exposed to during their four years in captivity. “The road from the place where the girls lived, to Mabuza’s house was 1,5 kilometers long. When summoned, the victim in question would have to walk this road, knowing what was to come. They had lost all hope of ever being loved again, of having a proper meal or a warm bed to sleep in after they were trafficked and used as trained sex slaves for Mabuza.”
Although all the girls hated what they were forced to do, they were threatened with being dropped off in the woods without food or water if they refused. One of them continued to rebel against the circumstances and confided in a neighbour, who assisted in sending her to a nearby school. While sleeping over at the neighbour one night, she packed her things and escaped from Rhenosterhoek.
She did, however, still attend school and the principal and school psychologist asked why she had run away from home. Mabuza’s activities were exposed and he was reported to the police. Juliet ran away to Mozambique and has not been seen since. Violet was added as a co-accused for her instrumental role in these crimes.
A trial faced with many challenges
For the next two years, the case was faced with a number of challenges. Human trafficking is not a crime that is regularly prosecuted to the point of sentencing and another two years dragged on before Friday’s sentencing. The case was postponed a number of times due to, among other things, a broken television that rendered giving evidence via CCTV impossible. The state celebrated the victory of a long prosecution, but for these girls, who were aged 11 to 13 when they were trafficked five years ago, what Mabuza did to them will have a lifelong impact.
The victims’ suffering is far from over
Erwee expressed her concern on the way forward. “These girls have fallen behind in school and have suffered unimaginable psychological damage, which will take time and resources to heal. At this point in time, South African social services do not have adequate resources. I am very worried as one of them will turn 18 next year and social services will no longer have a legal duty towards her, though she deserves it.
“I am praying that someone somewhere, an NGO or something, will come forward and care enough to help them rebuild their future. They are bright, driven young ladies and they deserve it.”
Not his only victims
Mabuza trafficked and abused other girls too, it was revealed during the trial. However, nobody was said to know who or where they were.
Violet testified that they were merely sent away when they became too old to peak his interest. “It is so sad that he has ruined so many lives. We can just thank these girls – these heroes – who helped us to pin him down. They have saved the lives of future victims that he could have reeled in,” Erwee said.
• A media statement was issued by the office of the acting provincial commissioner, Maj Gen Meshack Nogwanya, on Saturday. The Mpumalanga SAPS welcomed the sentences and thanked investigating officer Lt Africa Nyathi for his tireless efforts. It is as Lamprecht repeatedly said, “Teams like the SAPS’ investigating officer Nyathi and advocate Erwee of the National Prosecuting Authority whos prove that milestones can be achieved with their quality of dedication.”
