Evander Regional Court sends rapist from Leandra to jail for life
Pule Mlangeni was found guilty of two counts of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, two counts of compelled rape and three counts of rape.
On July 19, the Evander Regional Court sentenced Pule Mlangeni (33) from Leandra to five life terms in prison. He will serve them concurrently.
Effectively, he will remain behind bars for 25 years, the duration of a life sentence.
Mlangeni was found guilty of two counts of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, two counts of compelled rape and three counts of rape.
He was arrested three years ago.
Mlangeni, his friend and the victim, then 27, left a tavern in a residential area and decided to go to Mlangeni’s friend’s home to finish their remaining alcohol.
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Mlangeni sent his friend to buy cigarettes, and while he was at the shop, Mlangeni called him and told him not to return, telling the friend he and the victim agreed to sleep together.
The friend disregarded the call and returned home because he was the only one who knew the victim.
In the meantime, Mlangeni instructed the victim to undress, but she refused. He struck her several times over the head with a beer bottle.
When his friend knocked on the locked door, Mlangeni did not open. The friend kicked in the door to gain entry.
Mlangeni immediately attacked the friend by stabbing him in the forehead.
He told his friend to have sex with the victim but the friend refused. Mlangeni then assaulted him.
Further assaults and sexual activities continued.
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The victim eventually had a chance to take a bath. Mlangeni’s friend was bleeding profusely.
Mlangeni decided all three of them should go to the local clinic. He told them to lie and say unknown people mugged them.
Mlangeni remained close to them so they could not go to the police station. However, the friend got away and went to the police station to report the matter.
When Mlangeni released the victim, she told her neighbour, who took her to the police station. The case was referred to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit.
Sergeant Palesa Monagane investigated the matter until Mlangeni was found guilty and sentenced.
