VANDERBIJLPARK. – The Palmridge high court, on Monday sentenced the man dubbed the Vanderbijlpark graveyard serial rapist, to two life terms and 66 years imprisonment.

The court found Moremi Christopher Happy Rafutho (50) guilty of eight counts of rape and two counts of house robbery.

Rafutho caused a stir in January 2023 when the news of a serial rapist targeting his victims at Vanderbijlpark cemetery came to light.

A couple of weeks later, the man was arrested on various charges including rape, intimidation, house robberies, and the pointing of a firearm.

His arrest came after his latest ordeal in which he allegedly raped a minor in Sharpeville.

The offences were committed against several females, aged 13, 23, 33, 80, and 44, between March 2022 and January 2023, when he was arrested.

Rafutho would target his victims at their homes during the night while they were sleeping and some he would target them when they visited the cemetery to appease their deceased and rape them on top of the tombstones.

Following the allocation of the cases to Sergeant George Motloung of Sebokeng FCS, the suspect was then arrested with the assistance of Constable Gatebe, Xaba of, Constable Moloi, Sepheka, and Khaule of Vehicle identification Services in Sedibeng.

The suspect was linked to all these cases through DNA, fingerprints, and cellphone records.

The District Commissioner Major General Khensani Lemba commended the investigation team, prosecution, and the Judiciary which brought down the sentence against gender-based violence.

“We hope that the sentence will serve as a deterrent to perpetrators of heinous crimes against vulnerable groups” concluded Lemba.