Middelburg High Court hands down hefty sentence for rape and murder
A hefty sentence was handed down to rapist and murderer, Nhlanhla Mlotshwa Shabangu (21) by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court which was sitting in Middelburg on Wednesday.
The court heard how Nhlanhla Mlotshwa Shabangu terrorized a number of women between the year 2021 and 2022.
On 24 April 2021, the accused went to New Stand in Driefontein and attacked Sibongile Msibi (36). He raped as well as stabbed her multiple times and she sadly died as a result. Msibi’s body was dumped next to the bushes in the area before the accused fled.
On 18 July 2021, the accused attacked Mbali Nkosi (16) whilst she was at her parents’ house in Driefontein. He raped then strangled her to death, using a waist belt. He then fled soon after committing this atrocious act.
On 02 May 2022, the accused attacked Happiness Thela (31) as she walking in the street at Driefontein where he stabbed her to death after his attempts to rape her failed.
In all these incidents, cases were opened and registered at Dirkiesdorp Police Station.
Urgent action had to be taken by the police to find the person responsible as well as ensure that he is brought to book. An investigation team was established to probe these dreadful incidents that were perpetuated by the accused against defenceless women.
The accused was finally arrested by the police in Driefontein on the same day that he attacked the last victim on 2 May.
Nhlanhla Mlotshwa Shabangu was linked to all three cases as well as linked to another murder, rape and attempted rape in Paulpietersburg, KZN. The accused pleaded guilt to three counts of murder and two counts of rape. The accused will still go on trial for the Paulpietersburg cases.
The accused was convicted on 07 November on the following saentences:
On one count of rape, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. On one count of murder, he was slapped with life sentence.
On another count of rape, the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment. On another murder count, the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment meanwhile on a seperate murder count, he was punished to spend 18 years in prison.
The four life sentences will run separately and not run concurrently however the 18 years will run concurrently with the life sentences.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has commended the hardwork displayed by the investigation team, the Prosecution team and the Judiciary which culminated into the well deserved sentence.
“We trust that the sentence will deter others who perpetuate violence against women” said the General.
