MBOMBELA – A 23-year-old rape and murder convict is set to grow old in prison after being sentenced to more than 200 years by the Nelspruit Division Circuit of the High Court last week.
This follows Legion Mabunda’s evil actions of the assault, rape and brutal murder of four women including two pensioners and a teenage girl in Mkhuhlu near Hazyview in September and October 2013.
In September, the court heard, Legion Mabunda knocked at a house of two elderly sisters, aged 78 and 81, armed with a pick handle. When they opened the door, he assaulted the victims with the weapon after which they collapsed. He then raped them and cut their throats.
Again that month, Mabunda broke into a house of a 58-year-old nurse that was sleeping. He hit the victim on the head with a hammer and raped her.
He then stole the victim’s laptop and jewellery and left the scene, a house set alight. At the last incident, Mabunda accosted a 16-year-old girl who was on her way home at Mkhuhlu Cross Road in the early hours of October 12.
A grave hit to the head with a stone left this girl valnerable to rape, after which she was stoned to death.
The High Court imposed a life sentence for each rape and for each murder, which totals eight life sentences. He was further sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for house robbery and 10 years for arson which will run concurrently.
The provincial commissioner Lt Gen Mondli Zuma complimented the Calcutta police investigations team on this case.
“As the police we are delighted when we see people like Mabunda sent to jail to languish for many years. This is indicative that other potential rapists will be deterred from even attempting to commit such barbaric acts which rob women of their dignity.
“I also appreciate the sterling job done by the investigation team in Calcutta”, said Zuma.
