The Provincial police management welcomed 75 years imprisonment that was given to Johannes Nengwekhulu (31) on Monday 18 February 2019, by the Brits Magistrates’ Court for five counts of rape and one of house breaking.
Nengwekhulu’s conviction came after rape cases were registered between 2011 and 2014 in Oukasie Location near Brits whereby women were attacked at their houses in the early morning hours.
It was reported that the accused would forcefully gain entrance into houses, then threaten victims either with a knife or firearm. He would also instruct the victims to take off their clothes and thereafter rape them without using any protection. In some instances, the accused hid his face with a balaclava so that he could not be identified. He would then flee the scene on foot after taking valuable items from his victims.
The long arm of the law caught up with Nengwekhulu on Tuesday, 11 August 2015 after an extensive investigation and a wide spread search in Oukasie where all four victims aged between 20 and 29 resided. He was denied bail and has been in custody since his arrest.
The accused was found guilty and sentenced as follows:
Count 1, rape – 15 years imprisonment.
Count 2, housebreaking – 5 years imprisonment.
Count 3, rape – 10 years imprisonment.
Count 4, rape – 15 years imprisonment.
Count 5, rape – 15 years imprisonment.
Count 6, rape – 15 years imprisonment.
Upon sentencing the accused, the court declared him unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000).
The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, lauded members who worked tirelessly to ensure that the perpetrator gets a hefty sentence. She reiterated the SAPS commitment of ensuring that those who commit crimes against women and children will be dealt with harshly.
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