MBOMBELA – Mr Legion Mkhabela, a man who had brutally raped and murdered four women from Culcutta, was sentenced to eight lifetimes behind bars in the Mpumalanga High Court today.
After having been found guilty on four counts of murder, four counts of rape, one count of arson and one of robbery with aggravating circumstances last year, he was sentenced to an effective jail period of 200 years this afternoon.
Family members of the four victims welcomed the deceased and congratulated investigated officer, detective Sibusiso Sibuyi, on a job well done. They also praised state prosecutor, Advocate Kenneth Mashile.
Read more on the sentencing in Tuesday’s Lowvelder
On November 23, Lowvelder reported:
MBOMBELA – Mr Legion Makhubela (21), an alleged serial rapist and killer, is currently on trial in the city’s circuit High Court. He is charged with the rape and brutal killing of four women. He apparently raped his victims before beating their skulls in.
He was initially charged in the local circuit High Court last year and Makhubela alleged that he was not in a psychological condition to face the charges against him. He was sent to Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital for evaluation and was declared fit to stand trial. His supposed modus operandi was revealed as the trial kicked off on Tuesday.
Four victims reportedly died in startlingly similar ways during 2013. On September 10, 2013 two elderly women were sleeping in their home in Mhala. Ms Pethasi Mandlazi (81) and Ms Anna Honyini (78) woke up to find a burglar in their home. It is alleged that Makhubela had assaulted both women with a pick and raped Honyini. It was testified that both had died due to injuries sustained when he fractured their skulls and facial bones.
According to the charges against him, he followed the same modus operandi on October 29, but used a different weapon and finished off with arson. This time, his victim was 58-year-old Ms Kotasana Msesi Tibana. He apparently broke into her home, wielding a hammer, and assaulted her. He allegedly shoved the object into her private parts before setting her house, with her in it, on fire. She died due to injuries sustained during the assault.
In the early morning hours of October 12, 2013 Ms Wendy Mabunda (16) left a tavern in the company of Makhubela. While they were strolling the streets of Mhlala, the accused reportedly overpowered her, raped and killed her. Once again, the victim’s skull had been cracked.
At the time of going to print, a number of state witnesses was lined up to testify against the accused.
