VANDERBIJLPARK. – The Palmridge High Court on Monday, June 3 2024, 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 back in January 2023 when news broke of a serial rapist targeting victims at the Vanderbijlpark cemetery.
A few weeks later, he was arrested on various charges, including rape, intimidation, house robbery, and pointing a firearm.
His arrest followed his alleged rape of a minor in Sharpeville.
The offences, committed between March 2022 and January 2023, targeted several females aged 13, 23, 33, 80, and 44.
Rafutho would attack his victims at night while they were sleeping, and he would also target them when they visited the Vanderbilpark cemetery to pay respects to their deceased, assaulting and raping them on top of tombstones.
The investigation, led by Sergeant George Motloung of Sebokeng FCS, culminated in Rafutho’s arrest with the assistance of Constables Gatebe, Xaba, Moloi, Sepheka, and Khaule of Vehicle Identification Services in Sedibeng.
Rafutho was linked to the crimes through DNA, fingerprints, and cellphone records.
District Commissioner Major General Khensani Lemba commended the investigation team, prosecution team, and judiciary for their hard work in securing the sentence against gender-based violence. She praised their unwavering commitment to justice and the meticulous efforts they put forth in handling such a critical case.
“We hope that the sentence will serve as a deterrent to perpetrators of heinous crimes against vulnerable groups,” Lemba concluded.