Two life terms for North West rapist
The North West High Court in Vryburg has handed down two life sentences to a 25-year-old man for murder, rape, kidnapping and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Gaopalelwe Sedimo was sentenced for the crimes committed in November 2013, in Cokonyane Village, Taung.
Police said Sedimo had stabbed Lebang Joseph Thobi with a knife on the neck.
“He then forcefully took the deceased’s 23-year-old granddaughter to his place, where he raped and eventually stabbed her with a knife on the back,” added police.
Sedimo was traced and arrested immediately after the incident. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and rape respectively, five years for kidnapping and two years for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, said police.
North West police Chief Lieutenant-General Zukiswa Mbombo said: “We have no doubt that with this sentence, the message will reach criminals that the long arm of the law will deal with anyone who commits crime against the elderly and women.”
“We appreciate the hard work and commitment of all officials involved in the investigation and prosecution of the accused,” added Mbombo.
On Monday, the Durban High Court convicted and sentenced a 29-year-old man to three life terms and 28 years in jail for crimes he committed in KwaMakhutha and Folweni areas, KwaZulu-Natal.
Simphiwe Ncube was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, two life imprisonments for two cases of rape, 15 years for another rape, 10 years for robbery and three years for assault, police said.
Ncube allegedly attacked two schoolchildren and a young woman, and he used a knife on different occasions. DNA samples taken from the victims assisted in the successful conviction of the accused, added police.
– Caxton News Service
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