The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the sentencing of Pule Selby Mlangeni (38).
Mlangeni was slapped with five life sentences coupled by an additional six years imprisonment for three counts of rape, two counts of compelled rape as well as two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Mlangeni was sentenced by the Evander Regional Court on Wednesday, 19 July 2023.
The court heard that on 2 September 2019, at about 02:00 am Mlangeni was in a liquor outlet at Lebogang in Leslie together with his male friend who was in the company of a female companion.
It is said that the accused lured the duo to his residential place and upon arrival, he then tricked his male friend to go and buy some cigarettes from a nearby shop whilst the lady remained behind.
Obliviously, the friend dashed out to the shop then few minutes later, he received a call from the accused, convincing him not to come back as he said that wanted to spend time with the female.
In the meantime, Mlangeni is said to have made advances to the woman who refused. Mlangeni’s friend never wasted time but quickly rushed back after receiving the bizarre message from his so called friend.
Sadly before his arrival, Mlangeni forced her to undress then when she refused, he took a beer bottle and hit on her head.
The friend arrived in the middle of the commotion, but Mlangeni refused to open for him however the man forcefully kicked the door open in order to gain entry, that is when he met a hostile reception as the accused stabbed him in the forehead.
As this was not enough, Mlangeni compelled the two victims, injured as they were, to engage in sexual activities whilst watching before he raped the female.
Mlangeni was so cruel that even after this, he was not ashamed to force the victims to take a bath prior to ferrying them to the health facility.
The accused further threatened the two victims to keep quiet about the whole ordeal.
After the pair was free from Mlangeni’s captivity, the matter was reported to the Police and the case was assigned to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) in Secunda to investigate.
Mlangeni was later traced and finally got arrested in Leslie on 13 October 2019.
He appeared in court where he was granted bail however the FCS team, in collaboration with Prosecutors presented a strong case against the accused then on 18 July 2023, Mlangeni was found guilty then got his sentence the next day (19 July 2023) as follows:
On count 1 (assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm), the accused was sentenced to four (04) years imprisonment.
On count 2 (assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm), the accused was sentenced to two (02) years imprisonment
On count 3 (compelled rape), the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment.
On count 4 (compelled rape), the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Count 5 (rape), the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Count 6 (rape), the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Count 7 (rape), the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Accused was further declared unfit to possess firearm.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has applauded the Investigation team, the Prosecution team as well as the Judiciary for the job well done in ensuring that the perpetrator was brought to book. The General added that people like the accused should surely be removed from the society.
