AFP
File photo
Durban – A Pietermaritzburg High Court judge has handed down a 30-year jail sentence to a rapist and robber and ordered that the man serve at least 20 years before he is considered for parole.
Judge Achmat Jappie said Tankiso Mthembu, 24, had committed a “senseless and gratuitous” crime against the young woman, who was the one raped, and her mother in Belfort, Pietermaritzburg, in February.
His accomplice, Maesole Xakatha, 28, was sentenced to 15-years imprisonment for aggravated robbery.
Another accomplice, Khotso Mohlomi, 26, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Friday.
Judge Jappie said Mthembu and Xakatha had had no respect for the privacy, sanctity and “bodily integrity” of the women.
“All crimes of this nature have a serious impact and effect on the victims,” he said.
Referring to victim impact statements from both women, the judge said that the daughter’s life had been drastically affected.
She explained in the statement that she used to be joyful and carefree, but was now depressed, confused and fearful. Her health was in jeopardy as she feared being HIV positive.
The day after the attack, both women moved to Durban, where they were staying with friends. They could not bear to live at home any more.
Judge Jappie said the crime was a planned robbery.
“You could have entered the house and not lain in wait for the complainants,” he added.
During argument by attorney Irshaad Khan, the judge remarked that every rape was the worst form of rape.
When Khan submitted that there were no gratuitous injuries to the woman as a reason why the life sentence should not be imposed on Mthembu, the judge replied that “rape is rape whichever way you look at it”.
The Mercury
