Standerton duo convicted for multiple counts of rape
The court heard that the accused would kidnap their victims, keep them in a certain house for days and take turns raping them.
Last week, the Secunda Regional Court convicted and sentenced Thulani Khumalo (21) and Morena Khaba (21 ) of Standerton to various sentences for multiple counts of rapes, kidnapping and assault with grievous bodily harm.
The accused person’s victims were between the ages 14-15 years and were residing in the same area. One incident took place in January 2013, where they kidnapped the first complainant together with her friend who is the second complainant.
Khaba was a suspect in respect of other complainants and was arrested while he was in the company of the third complainant. This was after the matter was reported to the police by one of the neighbours and was further charged with three counts of rape, assault with grievous bodily harm and kidnapping of the third complainant.
Both accused pleaded not guilty to the charges however, the Regional Court Prosecutor, Phumzile Nkosi led testimonies of the victims who told court how the rape incidents happened, evidence of witnesses and medical evidence regarding two of the victims . The Prosecutor further led DNA evidence which linked accused 2 with complainant number 3 in the matter .Victim impact statements were also submitted.
Khaba was facing 11 counts of rape and 1 count of kidnapping and was sentenced to 15 years each per count of rape and 5 years for kidnapping. The sentence in count 2 will run concurrently with the sentence in count 1 resulting in Khumalo serving 20 years direct imprisonment for 14 counts of rape , 2 counts of kidnapping and 1 count of assault with grievous bodily harm.
The presiding officer ordered the sentence in count 2 and 3 to run concurrent with the sentence in count 1 effectively. Khaba will serve one life imprisonment.
