245 YEARS IMPRISONMENT IMPOSED TO A SERIAL RAPIST

245 YEARS IMPRISONMENT IMPOSED TO A SERIAL RAPIST

By BRIAN KAJENGO

Nelspruit – Secunda Regional Court has imposed a stern sentence to the serial rapist, Bheki Khumalo (35), on Monday 7April 2014.  Khumalo found guilty by the same court on 21 charges of rapes, 17 kidnapping, five robberies with aggravating circumstances and murder. His criminal activities spiralled from 2003 up until 2010.

This comes the highest punishment ever of which all perpetrators should learn from. This seems to send harsh punishment to reduce crime in mzansi.

The conviction came as a result of effective use of SAPS forensic department which drew blood samples from the victims and conducted analysis as part of the investigation to the above matter. The results thereof suggested that there was a serial rapist operating around the Secunda area.

The findings confirmed through the DNA profiles on numerous rape cases they had received, which were identical however no match existed on their data base.

A list of the cases involved sourced and all the necessary dockets obtained for proper analysis. Upon perusal of the dockets which originated from various stations around the Secunda area, it became apparent that the modus operandi was similar and a conclusion drawn to the fact that there were common identification features of the perpetrator. As a result, an identikit compiled with the help of the victims.

The members of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) in Secunda, devoted more time and worked tirelessly on this matter.

Their exceptional qualities and diligence contributed immensely in identifying the villain and put his barbaric acts to a cul-de-sac hence his arrest on 07 January 2011. The accused had since been in custody, appeared several times before the same court and found guilty on 25 March 2014.

The court heard that he would lure his victims under false pretence by promising them interviews for lucrative jobs or accusing them of having stolen money from a child he had sent to the shop. Khumalo found some of the victims with their boyfriends in the bushes; he would bang the driver’s window and violently shout accusations of trespassing.

The men would then run for their lives, leaving the women helplessly in the hands of Khumalo who in turn threatened them with a panga and raped them. He further targeted women who were fetching woods in the bushes. His victims that the state knows about were aged between 12 and 60.

It also confirmed by the court through evidence led by the state prosecutor, Tracy Keenhoran that Khumalo also stole cellphones, cash, jewellery, jeans and shoes but ignored larger items like laptops and cars belonging to his victims.

Magistrate Victor Ball commended the investigation done by the police and told the community of Embalenhle that they will get justice.

“We cannot forget that the fight against crime is ongoing and it is a hill after a hill to climb. You were a sexual predator that terrorized the community until your arrest in 2011. It is evident that such offences have long lasting effect in memories of victims. You have stolen many of minors’ virginity and dignity of adults that you raped”, said Magistrate Ball.

When passing sentence, the Magistrate said he does not find any compelling circumstances to deviate from sentences passed by other courts and sentenced Khumalo as follows

·        21 life sentences for each rape charge

·        A life sentence for murder

·        10 years for each of the 17 kidnapping, totaling to 170 years imprisonment.

·        15 years for each of the five robberies with aggravating circumstances, totalling to 75 years imprisonment.

The sentences not pronounced to run concurrently by the Magistrate.

“We welcome the sentence which will serve as the last chapter for Khumalo. Other potential criminals should learn from Khumalo that crime does not pay,” said the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thulani Ntobela.

He further applauded the meticulous manner in which the involved investigating officers have conducted themselves and ultimately secured a conviction in this case.

“I take this time and pride myself with the calibre of members I have in the FCS Unit environment, they have proven to have eager and zeal in discharging their duties. This is indicative of the fact that many villains were sent to languish in jail for lengthy sentences”, concluded Lt Gen Ntobela.