Two Mamelodi men have been sentenced to life imprisonment at the Pretoria regional court for the repeated rape of a teenage girl in Phase 5, Mamelodi East.
Itumeleng Lucas Mukhare (30), Gideon Tumisang Ngwenya (24) and an unknown man had kidnapped the 17-year-old on 2 July 2011.
“They took her to Mukhare’s shack in Phase 5. The third unknown man apparently left and the two remaining men took turns in raping her,” said police spokesperson Captain Jan Sepato.
Sepato said Ngwenya left shortly after the rape while Mukhare stayed behind and continued to rape the victim. “Mukhare had apparently left the room and his victim managed to take his cell phone as he had stolen hers. She phoned her sister and told her of the rape. Her sister arrived at the shack and rescued her,” Sepato said.
Mukhare and Ngwenya were arrested later that day. “The offenders were both positively identified by the victim at an identity parade. They were convicted in the Pretoria regional court of rape, kidnapping and theft of a cell phone on 13 October 2014,” said Sepato.
Mukhare was sentenced to five years for kidnapping, two life sentences for the rape and six months for theft of the cell phone. “Ngwenya also received five years for kidnapping and one life sentence for the rape,” said Sepato.
Sepato explained that the harsh sentencing was in response to the increase of violence against women. He also advised women to report any violence and abuse. “We encourage the community to break the silence and to report such cases. We also appreciate their patience while going through such long trials,” he said.
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