Serial rapist gets 14 life imprisonment

On October 4, the Mpumalanga High Court sitting in Delmas sentenced Sipho Alfred Sithole of KwaMhlanga to 14 life imprisonment terms for the string of rapes, kidnappings, assaults and attempted murder he committed from 2012 to 2016.

The court heard that in May 2016 one of the victims was at Rooi’s tavern with her friend.
While she was outside answering the phone, Sithole stabbed her with a knife on the forehead.
He further dragged her to the toilet and forcefully raped her.
The victim lodged a complaint.
During the police investigations, DNA samples were taken and Sithole was positively linked to many other offences.

Four of the victims were repeatedly raped by the accused and were residing in the same area as Sithole.

During trial, Sithole denied all the allegations levelled against him, he maintained his innocence. Senior state advocate Eric Sihlangu led evidence of the victims who told the court how the ordeal affected their lives. He also led evidence of forensic experts. Adv Sihlangu further submitted the victim impact reports and the accused was found guilty as charged.

The Presiding officer Judge Tony Thobane convicted the accused on 14 counts and sentenced him to life imprisonment on each count.

In light of the scourge of these types of crimes against women and children in the country, the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Matric Luphondo welcomes the conviction and sentence. He hope the sentence will serve as a deterrent to would be offenders.