The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court sentenced Thokozane David Nkambule (40) from Dindela in Barberton to four life terms and 154 years imprisonment for multiple counts of rapes and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Nkambule was convicted on 25 counts ranging from rape, attempted rape, robbery with aggravating circumstances, housebreaking with intent to commit an offence, housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, possession of unlicensed firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, discharge of a firearm in a public space and sexual assault.
READ | Ermelo man sentenced to 55 years in prison for rape and robbery
His victims were between the ages of 14 and 37 years of age and were all from Barberton.
From May 2011 to February 2015 Nkambule, together with his unknown accomplice would arm themselves with firearms, threaten their victims, rape them and rob them of their belongings like laptops, cash and groceries.
“Two of the incidents that stood out, on May 21, 2011, Nkambule and his accomplice broke into the house where the victim was asleep, they threatened her with a firearm, demanded money and robbed her of a cellphone and home theatre system. One of the assailants instructed her to take off her clothes and forced her to perform oral sex on him,” the statement read.
On February 12, 2015, Nkambule entered the house and threatened two victims to perform oral sex on him. He then raped them anally.
ALSO READ | Two life sentences and an additional 40 years for convicted rapist
Nkambule was arrested the following day after his description was given to the police. He was found with a firearm, two magazines, and a 9mm calibre ammunition.
He denied the allegations and told the court that he sympathised with the victims. The State Advocate, Eric Sihlangu led evidence of several witnesses augmented by the DNA evidence.
Sihlangu argued that Nkambule was convicted of serious offences where the victims were attacked in their homes where they were supposed to feel safe and protected. He further stated that violence perpetrated by men in society against women needed to end therefore the only way to end it was for the courts to impose sentences to deter future offenders.
The judge, Tony Thobane found no compelling and substantial circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. He sentenced Nkambule to four life terms and 154 years imprisonment and further declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
