By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
The Randburg Magistrates’ Court has sentenced Gift Mahlangu (35) to two life imprisonment terms for repeatedly raping two minor girls, aged seven and eight.
He was also sentenced to five years imprisonment for kidnapping and further two years for contravening the Immigration Act.
Phindi Mjonondwane
NPA spokesperson said the two girls were playing on the soccer field in Diepsloot when they were accosted by the accused.
She said he took them to the nearby bush area, where he threatened them and claimed to be carrying a gun.
“Mahlangu smeared their faces with sand and proceeded to rape them. On their way home the victims met community members and relayed their ordeal.
“The parents and the community members mobilised and assaulted the accused and that is when he fled to the nearest police station to open a case of assault against the community members.
“The members then explained to the police what really happened,” said Mjonondwane.
State Prosecutor, Given Mbedzi argued that the accused’s version that his ex-girlfriend framed him by inserting his semen on one of the minors should be rejected by the court as the minor girls testified truthfully and without contradictions.
Mbedzi pleaded with the court not to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence of life imprisonment as there were no justifiable reasons for the court to do so.
Magistrate Gail Pretorius ordered that Mahlangu was unsuitable to work with children and his name be entered into the National Register of Sex Offenders.
“The NPA commends Mr. Mbedzi and Sergeant Ntaupane for ensuring that Mahlangu does not go unpunished for his inhuman crimes against vulnerable minor children,” Mjonondwane said.