A man who met his victims on Facebook where after he raped two women and killed one, was handed a hefty sentence in the Middelburg High Court yesterday.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority Regional Spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, the incidents occurred in KwaMhlanga in 2020.

Vusi Donald Bhuda (31)  pleaded guilty to the murder of Nonhlanhla Maseko, and three counts of rape which occurred  between May to June 2020.

He would invite them to his home under the pretence that they would meet his ‘family’.

He told the court that Maseko was his girlfriend at the time of her death.

He claimed that the two were involved in an altercation after the victim received a call from a male friend.

The fight got physical which resulted in Bhuda strangling and raping Maseko.

“After realising that the deceased was no longer breathing, he took her lifeless body to the bridge at R573 Road, where it was later discovered,”   Nyuswa says.

Bhuda also stole the victim’s belongings.

On June 21 and 2, 2020  he invited another woman on Facebook to his home where he raped her.

Judge Thando Mankge sentenced Bhuda to life imprisonment on each count of rape, life imprisonment for murder and another fifteen years for robbery with aggravating circumstances.

Ms Nyuswa says “The NPA welcomes the sentence and hopes that it will send a stern warning that the criminal justice system will deal harshly with the perpetrators of gender-based violence. We further encourage Facebook users, to always be vigilant of the people they communicate with, and more so when they decide to meet with them on Facebook”