POLOKWANE – Lucas Malokolle Phalane (29) was handed one life sentence and 165 years imprisonment in the Limpopo High Court yesterday (Thursday) after he was convicted of 25 counts ranging from rape, robbery with aggravating circumstances as well as house breaking with the intent to rob.
During the trial, the court heard that Phalane and his unidentified accomplice roamed around the communities during the night and entered houses to rape victims. He would also attack his victims in the streets by pouncing and ambushing them whilst walking alone or in the company of their partners.
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During the period from 2011 to March 2016, the accused raped 16 females, aged between 13 and 45. His reign of terror was committed in the villages around Burgersfort, Lenyenye and Tzaneen. He used a firearm or a knife to coerce the complainants to submit. He also robbed his victims of cash, jewellery and cell phones.
Phalane was finally arrested at the Angelo squatter camp, in Boksburg, Gauteng, after one of the complainants recognized him from the police identikit.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the count of rape involving a minor child of thirteen (13) years and 15 years imprisonment term for each of the 11 counts of rape involving adult victims, and also for the robberies. The sentences will run concurrently to the life imprisonment.
State prosecutor, Advocate Cali Mathabatha asked that the accused be deemed unfit to possess a firearm, deemed unsuitable to work with children and that his name be entered into the National Register of Sex Offenders. The court made all of these orders.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, Advocate Ivy Thenga, said justice has indeed been done and commended the investigation team and the prosecutor for a sterling job.
nelie@nmgroup.co.za
