BETHAL – The Bethal Regional Court sentened a 31 year old man to 79 years’ imprisonment on Wednesday, 6 June, for a series of crimes ranging from murder to sexual assault.
Wonder Paulos Mabuza was found guilty on two counts of murder, three of robbery with aggrevating circumstances, attempted murder and one of sexual assault.
Mabuza went on a crime spree after leaving a tavern on the night of 20 May 2015.
Along the way, he stabbed and robbed more than five people he came across, including a woman whom he attempted to rape but she managed to escape.
Two of the victims succumbed to their wounds whilst the rest were treated and discharged from hospitals.
Mabuza was arrested later in Bethal for possession of dagga and a dangerous weapon. It then emerged that he was wanted for the series of crimes hence the sentencing.
Mabuza was sentenced to a total of 79 years’ imprisonment. This comprises 15 years for each murder, 15 years for each robbery, two years for attempted murder and two years for sexual assault.
The court ruled that all the sentences will run concurrently with count one, the murder.
However, the court has made a further ruling during sentencing that 10 years of one of the robberies be added to the murder charge.
Therefore, Mabuza will serve an effective 25 years in prison.
