Siyabuswa man receives four life sentences for four counts of rape
In addition to the life sentences, he was also sentenced for counts of housebreaking and robbery.
The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court in Middelburg sentenced Shaggy David Mgigi (43) to prison on Monday June 13 for multiple counts of rape, robbery and housebreaking. He was trialled and convicted on June 3.
He will serve four life sentences for four counts of rape, 15 years each for two counts of robbery with a firearm, 15 years each for three counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and five years for housebreaking.
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A Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brig Selvy Mohlala, said in a statement that Mgigi had been sentenced following the incidents that took place between 2009 and 2014 when he terrorised four women between the ages of 25 and 32 in Siyabuswa.
“The court declared the accused to be unfit to possess a firearm, and that he needs to be sent away for a very long time as a perpetrator of gender-based violence. The court also alluded that Mgigi had raped defenceless women, one of whom was pregnant. The other victims were dragged out of their residences to be raped in the bushes, and some were forced to take a bath. The court also indicated that the accused was 30 years old when he had committed these crimes, citing that he was old enough to take responsibility,” Mohlala said.
He said the cases were opened and investigated by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in KwaMhlanga. The provincial police worked tirelessly and arrested Mgigi on April 7, 2015.
The provincial police commissioner, Lt Gen Semakaleng Manamela, applauded the excellent work done by the investigation team, the prosecution team and the judiciary, which led to Mgigi’s incarceration.
“The sentence handed down by the court will hopefully send a clear message to perpetrators of gender-based violence that the law will deal harshly with them. The sentence complements the good work by the police, who strive and work hard to protect the vulnerable groups,” Manamela said.
