Rapist on appeal commits murder
Man, 41, to serve seven years for rape and another 18 years for murder.
Edwin Deon Rowles, 41, was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for the murder of Boyzane Munguambe earlier this year.
On 31 January 2014, Munguambe’s body was found on the road in North Avenue opposite the Greenhills Cemetery. Rowles who had been convicted and sentenced to seven years for the rape of his ex-wife in 2008 committed the murder while on appeal.
The sentence was handed down by Judge Louw of the South Gauteng High Court in October.
According to a statement issued by Station Commander Lieutenant Colonel AM Molefi of the Tarlton Police, “Randfontein Police opened an inquest docket with Warrant Officer Santie Laufs of the Randfontein Detective Unit assigned to investigate the case. Information was then received from a reliable source and the case docket was changed to murder.
“Laufs spent sleepless nights trying to solve the case and her efforts paid off when she arrested Rowles on 2 February 2014 and charged him with murder.
“She managed to link him to the murder through DNA evidence. Rowles also confessed to the murder.
“Rowles was convicted of rape in 2008 and sentenced to seven years imprisonment after raping his ex-wife in 2005. He appealed, and while on appeal Rowles committed the murder. His appeal was withdrawn.”
Rowles will serve the seven years for rape first and then the 18 years for murder. He will be detained at Sun City Prison. Meanwhile, Munguambe’s family welcomed the sentencing of Rowles.
They applauded Laufs for finally solving the case. Major General A Mateisi also thanked Laufs for her outstanding investigations that led to solving the case.
She also expressed her appreciation towards advocate Adele de Klerk of the NPA and Judge Louw from the Department of Justice for their dedication.
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