The Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General (Adv.) Tembisile Patekile, has welcomed the six life sentences handed down to a serial rapist in the Cape Town High Court today. The sentencing of 40-year-old Lungile Buhlungu marks the culmination of a meticulous investigation by the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit’s Serial Electronic Crime Investigations Unit (SECI), which ensured the accused will remain behind bars for the rest of his life.
Devious Crimes Spanning Years
Investigations revealed that Buhlungu committed his heinous offenses in July 2014, October 2017, and May 2018, targeting six women aged between 21 and 31 in the Delft and Mfuleni areas. Posing as a helpful stranger, he lured his victims by offering them transport, mainly from taverns, before threatening them at gunpoint, robbing them, and raping them.
Arrest and Forensic Breakthrough
Buhlungu was first arrested in November 2020 on unrelated charges of rape, kidnapping, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. During the investigation, officers obtained his buccal swabs, which later provided a DNA match linking him to the six rape cases.
Strong Prosecution and Sentencing
During the trial, Lieutenant Colonel Elmarie Myburg of the SAPS Head Office Psychology Services and Detective Sergeant Nomabandla Jokazi of SECI provided crucial testimony, standing firm under cross-examination.
Today, 18 June 2025, the Cape Town High Court sentenced Buhlungu as follows:
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Six life terms for the six rape cases
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Five years each on four counts of kidnapping (totaling 20 years)
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Five years for possession of a firearm
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15 years for aggravated robbery
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Five years each on two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (totaling 10 years)
The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm. All sentences will run concurrently with the life imprisonment terms.
