Court hands Madadeni rapist a life sentence behind bars
He would approach the victims and lure them to an abandoned house in the area. Read more here:
Thabani Mkhwanazi (32) was sentenced to life imprisonment with an additional 20 years in prison for rapes he committed in August and September of 2015.
Mkhwanazi raped three women aged 19, 22 and 23 in Madadeni. His modus operandi was to approach his victims and lure them to an abandoned house in the area, where he would rape them.
While the women recognized him, he eluded authorities and was only apprehended after his third offense.
Prosecutor Eddie Mbewu presented DNA evidence in court, as well as the testimonies from the victims and those who were with them when Mkwanazi approached them.
Mbewu also presented to court Victim Impact Statements prepared by the women and facilitated by court preparation officer Masande Mdiya .
The victims described how the rapes had affected their lives in their statements.
Mkhwanazi received 10 years in prison for the first rape, 10 years in prison for the second and life in prison for the third.
In addition, the court ruled that he was ineligible to possess a firearm and ordered that his name be entered into the National Register of Sexual Offenders.
Natasha Ramkisson-Kisson, regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, stated, “The NPA welcomes the successful conclusion of this matter, and we commend the work done by the prosecution and the SAPS.”
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