MBOMBELA – A man was sentenced to 22 years in prison on Monday for the gang rape of a 36-year-old nurse. Of the three men who partook in the gang rape, one was killed in an act of community justice and the victim’s testimony had pardoned another.
The facts that led to the conviction of gang rapist Dennis Hlangwane happened on the morning of February 7. A 36-year-old nurse was on her way to work in KaBokweni. Three men approached her as she was walking past the police station.
They overpowered her and dragged her into the surrounding bushes. Hlangwane and another man, whose identity was not revealed in court documents made available to Lowvelder, took turns raping her. They then forced Mr Adolf Sikatane to rape her. When the men were done, they “let her go,” the woman testified.
On February 8, Hlangwane and Sikatane were arrested. The third man was killed by enraged community members who had heard of the raped. Both Hlangwane and Sikatane were charged with gang rape.
Sikatane’s lack of intent with regard to the crime led to the case against him being withdrawn. The only one on trial was Hlangwane.
State prosecutor Mr Thulani Msibi requested Regional Court magistrate, Ms Venessa Joubert, to sentence him harshly.
He added that the mob-justice victim’s family has since accused the rape victim of causing his death, which has complicated the victim’s life as it caused her to live in fear of their retaliation.
Prior to sentencing Hlangwane, Joubert condemned incidents of gang rape and said that it was a very serious crime.
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