The seven life sentences that were given to a 27-year-old convicted murderer and serial rapist,Sipho Nguleni should bring much relief to communities,South African National Civic Organisation(SANCO) in the North West Province lauded on Tuesday.
“We welcome the harsh sentence that should restore the confidence of our communities in the criminal justice system.It should also serve as a deterrent that will send a strong message to perpetrators of violence crime, the scourge rape and gender based violence,” SANCO Provincial Chairperson,Paul Sebegoe said in applauding the sentence delivered by the North Gauteng High Court that sat in the Pretoria North Magistrates Court.
Sebegoe said that the befitting sentence that include additional 60 years imprisonment for armed robbery,kidnap and assault will also allow families of victims and those who survived Nguleni’s reign of terror to find closure because justice was served.
“We commend police for the meticulous investigation into the henious crimes that resulted in the successful presecution,”he said.
Nguleni’s murder victims include a Letlhabile school teacher,Michael Malapane,and a local woman,Anani Mayanga whom he allegedly doused with petrol and robbed them of their belongings before setting them alight.
The convicted rapist and murderer whose sentences are to run concurrently was arrested in May last year.
He started his criminal activities around Letlhabile Township outside Brits in 2010 and mostly targeted couples as well as individuals relaxing in public places like parks or those relaxing in their cars.His victims were murdered,raped and assaulted at gunpoint.
-TDN
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