MBOMBELA – A serial rapist was sentenced to life in prison in the Mpumalanga High Court on Friday.
Mr Mxolisi Bubu Shongwe (27) raped five women, one teenager and one minor, over a six year period. He attributed his crimes to his distorted state of mind following his mother’s death in 2006.
Shongwe’s crimes started on December 6, 2007 when he approached two vegetable sellers, aged 11 and 13, in KaNyamazane. He forced them into the bushes, threatened them with a knife and firearm, undressed them and had non-consensual sex with the two girls.
On January 12, 2008, a 20-year old woman was alighting from a taxi in the same town when Shongwe pointed a firearm at her. He forced her to walk to a soccer field close by. Again, he undressed her before having sex with her against her will.
Three years later, on May 14, 2011, a 22-year old woman was approached by the accused and an unknown accomplice. The accomplice kept a lookout while Shongwe raped his victim.
On August 12, 2012, a 23-year-old woman was walking in Clau-Clau when the accused approached her from behind. He threatened her with a knife, forced her to undress and raped her.
On July 26, 2013, he approached a 31-year-old victim in KaBokweni. She was threatened with a knife, forced into a bush and raped.
His last victim, a 30-year-old woman, was targeted on October 31, 2013 in Clau-Clau. The woman was on her way to work when he approached her, lured her to a secluded area. Instructed her to undress and raped her.
Shongwe pleaded guilty and asked the judge, Ms Zeenat Carelse, to be merciful in sentencing him. He said that he had gone on a raping spree following his mother’s death in 2006.
She died of cancer. Shongwe asked this to be taken into account as a mitigating factor along with his remorse.
State advocate, Mr John Maenga, said that he was not sure that Shongwe’s remorse was genuine. Carelse said that the community expected her to deliver a just sentence.
He was sentenced to two life terms and five 10-year jail sentences, which will run concurrently.
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