A sangoma found guilty of raping 21 girls at his initiation school in Masoyi in 2012 has been sentenced to a harsh 17 life imprisonments today at the Circuit High Court.
The 21 girls aged between nine and 17 had laid complaints against Johan Jabulani Mlombo (51) and his co-accused, Sister Mapalesa Khoza in 2012. Khoza received a suspended sentence of 24 months imprisonment.
Previously, one of the girls testified that the sangoma had raped them one by one in less than two hours.
In his sentencing, the judge Mr JJ Strydom, explained the seriousness of the offence to the court room filled with mostly journalists. “It is very important that the court send a message to potential offenders that raping of underaged girls is a very serious crime,” he said.
He also mentioned that Mlombo had not shown any remorse for his actions by denying the fact that he raped the girls. He said that Mlombo also failed to give a reason why he committed the crimes.
The court also heard how the rapist lured the girls into a dark room where he sexually abused them. They were deceived that Mlombo was going to perform “Ingoma Enkulu” (big initiation).
According to the judge, Mlombo abused the fact that he was placed in a position of trust by the girls’ parents. “The accused used his occupation as a initiation school head and prophet to fulfil his ulterior motives,” said the judge.
Read Tuesday’s newspaper for a detailed report on the story.
