JUSTICE prevailed at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court last Friday as ‘Highway rapist’, Moses Mavila, was sentenced to 32 terms of life and 405 years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty in May this year to the 32 counts of rape, two counts of attempted rape and 27 counts of robbery.
The accused began his crime spree in 2013 by terrorising women who, were seeking jobs, along the M19 in Westville.
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It is alleged that he would lure his victims by promising them jobs. He would lead them to a bush along the M19 where he would rape, rob and strangle them.
The victims’ cellphones and cash were stolen during the attacks.
The last incident was reported in January this year.
According to KZN police spokesman, Brig Jay Naicker, the women would get off the taxi on the M19 Highway near Westville where he would threaten them with a knife and proceed to tie them up, rape and rob them. The accused would flee the scene, leaving them bound.
“He attacked 34 women in total,” said Brig Naicker.
“The accused stole their money, cellphones, and bankcards and in one instance, he even stole the complainant’s shoes,” he said.
One of the victims, who asked to remain anonymous, said she and other victims were very pleased with the court’s decision. “We welcome it and we are very happy that this man will be locked in prison for his whole life and will never get a chance to traumatise other women.”
The 52-year-old woman said she believes she might have been one of Mavila’s first victims as her incident happened in 2013.
“I now depend on medication to think straight and have a proper sleep, I doubt I will ever be the same person I was before this incident,” sighed the mother of two.
She said she was going to her workplace in Westville North when Mavila pounced on her, “I had just got off a taxi under a bridge on the M19. There is path pedestrians use to get to the other side.
“I got a shock of my life when this man emerged from a bush and pulled me in. I tried to fight him and screamed but he overpowered me. When he was done, he tied me to a tree. There were electric wires that were neatly placed in the bush which I believe he used to tie his victims with,” explained the woman.
She said she was rescued by people who heard her scream and “they contacted my employer and I was taken to the police station and then to RK Khan Hospital.
“Every fifth month I fetch medication from the hospital. I work only once a week as that is the only employer that understands my situation. The trauma is still there and having to face him in court brought back many memories. I cannot even explain the way I have been feeling for the past few months.”
The woman said Mavila destroyed so many lives and did not even show remorse. “When he was sentenced, he said he is no prisoner and is returning,” said the woman with shock.
“I urge other women to speak out when they are being abused; they should not keep quiet as there is help out there and talking helps and makes one feel better,” she added.
Passing the sentence
In aggravation of the sentence, State Advocate Alex Khanyile handed in victim impact statements compiled by some of the complainants and facilitated by court preparation officer, Bonisile Mngoma. The common sentiment through all these statements was the horror they experienced at the hands of the accused.
The acting director of public prosecutions in KwaZulu-Natal, Adv Elaine Zungu said, “The sentence and conviction in this matter is indicative that justice has been served. While employment is difficult to obtain, we appeal to the community is to be wary of job offers and prospects as matters of this nature are becoming prevalent.”
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