21 rapes, 6 robberies, kidnapping gets man 12 life sentences

21 rapes, 6 robberies, kidnapping gets man 12 life sentences
21 rapes, 6 robberies, kidnapping gets man 12 life sentences

The Provincial Commissioner of the police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, is elated on recent sentences handed over to rapists in three separate incidents in the province.

The General’s elation stems from hefty sentences which were passed by three courts in the province.

On 14 December 2017, the circuit of the Pretoria High Court sitting at Graskop sentenced a 28 year old man, Cassius Khoza to 12 life sentences and an additional 34 years for cases committed between 2011 and 2016.

Cassius Khoza committed his atrocious acts in and around the Marite area, near Bushbuckridge and also at Sabie.

The court heard how he would break into victims’ houses, accost them at knife point and ensure that his victims used a window to get out of the house before dragging them to the bushes where he would then rape them.

The High Court sentenced Khoza for 21 rapes, 6 robberies, 1 kidnapping and 1 assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, that were all committed over a period of time spanning five years, from February 2011 to February 2016.

He was however arrested in February 2016 after the investigating team put a sterling effort in knitting the evidence and casting a net that narrowed on Khoza.

The Provincial Commissioner of the police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma welcomed the sentences and stated that they will serve as a deterrent to other would be rapists and criminals. “The fact that the sentences are passed just after launching Operation Safer Festive Season and around the currency of the 16 Days on no violence against women and children campaign, are very significant in sending a strong message that the law enforcement agencies and justice fraternity (JCPS Cluster) mean business, especially to crimes against vulnerable people”, said the General.

South Africa Today – South Africa News

SOURCESouth African Police Service