THE serial rapist, Sipho Mfene was handed down six life sentences at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Regional Court today (19 November).
Mfene faced the wrath of Magistrate Mahindra Daya who found him guilty of all 17 charges including six counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, six charges of compelled sexual assault, and one charge of assault, to several children, mostly boys.
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According to the court documents, the alleged sexual assault began as far back as 2015.
Mfene’s first victim was only seven-years-old at the time.
He said Mfene had, on two separate occasions, served time for sexual assault and could therefore see no reason to deviate from prescribed minimum sentencing recommendations.
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“Punishment should fit the criminal and the crime as well as respond to the needs of the society,” said Daya as he finished the introduction to his sentencing.
Daya also expressed clearly that the court could not accept the accused’s version of the events.
“Upon consideration of all the evidence, the court cannot but reject the accused’s version of the events, and the only reasonable conclusion it can come to is that the accused committed the crimes he stands accused of,” said Daya.
Despite’s Mefne’s legal aid appointed attorney, Sipho Radebe’s extensive cross-examination of all the complainants and the other witnesses from the community, Daya said he felt there was no way he could accept the argument put forward by the accused that he was being framed by his son, Sanele Mfene and others in the community.
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