A CONVICTED rapist and robber was sentenced to 85 years – effectively 50 years as sentences will run concurrently – by the eSikhawini Regional Court on Monday.

Hloniphani Nhlenyama (32), who is believed to have tormented Mtunzini residents, was facing four counts of rape, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and one count of common robbery.

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His arrest comes after one of his rape victims witnessed him selling drugs in Empangeni, alerting the police.

Mtuzini SAPS members requested that Empangeni SAPS monitor his movement, and in January 2023, Empangeni police set up an operation, which led to his arrest.

Having been found with a large quantity of drugs, he was charged with drug dealing and then linked to a string of house break-ins and rape cases through fingerprints and DNA tests – all investigated by Mtuzini SAPS.

Nhlenyama was denied bail after police discovered he had violated his parole conditions.

The court learnt how Nhlenyama broke into homes and robbed his victims before raping them.

In one incident, his victim identified him because his cellphone light came on during the rape. His drug dealing case is still pending.

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