TWO rapists, Amos Phahlamohlaka (20) and Emanuel Maelane (30) were sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment each by the Groblersdal regional court on Monday for rape and assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The rapes were committed in 2011 when two men accosted a 26-year-old woman who was walking home from the local tavern with her 29-year-old brother in Leeuwfontein.
The rapists attacked the couple, and the brother fled leaving his sister in the hands of strangers as the two suspects produced a knife.
His stranded sister was assaulted with a screwdriver and raped repeatedly.
The matter was reported to the Marble Hall police and the woman was treated at the Groblersdal Hospital.
The police investigated the matter and the two men were arrested on October 4 2011 in Leeuwfontein.
DNA linked Phahlamohlaka and Maelane with the rapes. The men remained in custody throughout their trial, as they were denied bail several times.
Marble Hall police station commander, Lt Col Kate Maswanganyi welcomed the sentence. She discouraged people, especially women from walking around at night, and encouraged people to report crime to the nearest police station immediately.
