Eight life sentences for ‘serial rapist’ of Limpopo
The 28-year-old man was positively linked to eight counts of rape between 2012 and 2014.
LIMPOPO – The Phalaborwa Regional Court, on Friday, 20 November, sentenced Sakkie Ephraim Manganyi (28) to eight life sentences plus 25 years’ imprisonment for rapes, robberies and kidnappings.
The incidents happened between 2012 and 2014 in the Namakgale policing area and Det Serg Khazamula Oral Mhlongo of the Phalaborwa Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit was assigned to the case.
Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe, says Manganyi raped a 17-year-old girl on 12 February 2012.
“The girl was walking home with her boyfriend when they met three unknown male suspects. The suspects grabbed the girl and threatened her partner with a knife and took their cellphones,” Ngoepe said.
The boyfriend managed to escape but the girl was dragged to nearby bushes and raped by the suspects who later fled the scene.
“Manganyi continued with his devious acts and raped a 28-year-old woman with his accomplices on Sunday, 3 June 2012. The victim was learning how to drive a vehicle with her boyfriend at the local ground near Phalaborwa Primary school,” he explained.
Three unknown men emerged and tried to open the doors, which were locked. One of them produced a firearm and instructed them to open the doors, to which they complied.
“The suspects drove off with the victim to nearby bushes and she was raped by the suspect, who later abandoned the vehicle with her in it,” he added.
In another incident, on Saturday, 6 September 2014, a 24-year-old woman was walking along the street with her male classmate when they came across two unknown suspects.
“The suspects started beating her classmate who ran away and Manganyi forcefully dragged her to the riverlet and raped her several times,” he said.
Rape cases were opened at Namakgale Police Station and Manganyi was arrested within a short period of time.
“He was positively linked to eight counts of rapes in 2014 and was kept in police custody without bail until his sentencing. He refused to reveal his accomplices,” Ngoepe added.
Sentences:
– Eight life imprisonment sentences for eight counts of rape.
– 25 years’ imprisonment for eight counts of robberies and kidnappings.
The Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Maj Gen Christine Moralakadi is delighted about the sterling work done by Mhlongo and encouraged other Saps members to follow his footsteps in ensuring that criminals are removed from society.
Also read: Limpopo man sentenced for rape, kidnapping and robbery in two separate incidents
