8 LIFE SENTENCES TO A BUSINESSMAN ACCUSED OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

8 LIFE SENTENCES TO A BUSINESSMAN ACCUSED OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Graskop – The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Meshack Nogwanya announces that the Graskop Regional Court presided by Dr Andries Lamprecht have sentenced Nyambi Lloyed Mabuza aged 62, to eight life sentences effectively. Mabuza initially arrested on 18 December 2012, on allegations that he trafficked young Mozambican girls between the ages of 11 and 17 under false pretence that he was taking them to school in South Africa.

When the girls arrived in South Africa, a different story unfolds wherein they used as sex slaves and never set their feet at school. When the matter  reported to the police who in turn swiftly responded, they discovered that the girls were kept under horrible conditions and sometimes they would even go to bed without food. Police started with their investigation which led to the arrest of Mabuza and his accomplice, a Mozambican woman, Violet Chauke 24, whom its believed that she used as a middleperson.

Yesterday, 21 November 2014, the court did not hesitate to find Mabuza guilty of four counts of human trafficking for sexual purposes and four counts of rape. His accomplice found guilty on three counts of human trafficking for sexual purposes and three counts of rape.

In passing judgement, the Magistrate, Dr Lamprecht said Mabuza did not show any remorse about his horrendous acts, which is evident by the fact that he initially pleaded not guilty.  He further said Mabuza committed his unpalatable acts against the innocent children who were brought in South Africa and created high hopes to them that he was going to better their futures.        

As a result of his findings and based on his remarks, Magistrate (Dr) Lamprecht did not hesitate to impose hefty sentences to Mabuza as follows:

·        four life sentences for four counts of human trafficking for sexual purposes

·        four life sentences for four counts of rape

His accomplice, Chauke, sentenced to 20 years in prison which was whole suspended for five years that she is not found guilty of related crimes. Further to the sanction, she is going to deported back to Mozambique, her country of origin. The Magistrate also mentioned that Chauke’s involvement to the crime was not equal as the involvement of her sister and Mabuza. He also considered the fact that Chauke herself was a victim of human trafficking and suffered the same abuse like the victims in the hands of Mabuza. The other factor which considered by the Magistrate is that she has already spent two years in prison. However, the fact that she participated in the crime and not reported to the police, that leave the court with no any other option but compelled it to impose a considerable sanction hence the suspended sentence.

“As police in Mpumalanga we welcome the sentence and we believe that it will serve as a deterrent to other unscrupulous and ruthless criminals. We are also delighted that the sentence passed against Mabuza will not run concurrently which implies that it served as the last chapter of the freedom for Mabuza. Other potential offenders who are intending or currently trafficking human, should learn from what happened to Mabuza which is indicative that indeed crime does not pay. We urge the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious tendencies regarding the treatment of people”, concluded Major General Nogwanya

On the same breath, the General congratulated the Investigating Officer, Lieutenant Africa Nyathi, who worked tirelessly and managed to secure this conviction. He said his hard work has finally reaped good results. The court also appreciated the dedication by the investigator and the manner in which he handled the case, as it made their job to be easy hence the sentence.