Family finds closure after boy’s murder
The family of a 10-year-old Pretoria boy who was murdered in November 2005 has found closure after the devil worshipping serial killer who murdered their son was eventually sentenced to 62 years in prison.
The family of a 10-year-old Pretoria boy murdered in 2005 has found closure after the killer was jailed for 61 years.
Self-confessed Satanist Themba Vilakazi (34) from Soshanguve grabbed 10-year-old Rapela Aaron Masango and dragged him into an open field near the Pretoria Zoo before stabbing him to death.
Vilakazi was arrested and also charged with the murders of two other boys in Pretoria.
He was sentenced to 18, 18 and 25 years for the three murders in the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Speaking to Rekord after the accused was sentenced, Rapela’s parents, Reginald and Wendy Green said they were satisfied that justice had been done though this would not bring back their child.
“The boy was coming from school carrying a school bag, and his report in the hand. He had passed and was excited about sharing the good news with us,” said Reginald.
“People like Vilakazi do not have a place in society.”
Wendy, who is from Soshanguve, said she believed the sentence was proper punishment for the killer.
“We are satisfied that the case has been put to bed and that we can continue with our lives,” said Wendy.
She said for the past 10 years, she had been grief-stricken knowing that the killer of their son had not been judged.
“It was a fair sentence, 18 years each for the two boys, and 25 for the other… a collective 61 years. That is enough punishment.”
Vilakazi pleaded guilty to all charges and told the court that he was possessed by a “demon” when he committed the murders.
He had a 666 tattoo on his forehead when he appeared in court.
According to court papers, Vilakazi first killed a man in Pretoria on July 23 2005 by stabbing him in the chest several times.
Vilakazi continued his killing spree between August 8 and 10 of the same year when he stabbed Michael Mokaba, who died of wounds in the neck, before killing Rapela on November 11.
The murders went unsolved until 2012 when Vilakazi was arrested for raping an 18-year-old man.
DNA obtained from that rape case linked him to the three cold cases from 2005. Two of the three murdered boys were found naked.
Detective Peter Thusi told the prosecutor that the accused was likely to be pinned with seven more murder cases, but police were still finalising an investigation.
Vilakazi admitted in court that he was a devil worshipper and practising Satanism.
He said a voice whispered into his ear that he should kill his victims.
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