SERIAL RAPIST SENTENCED TO TWO LIFE TERMS PLUS 115 YEARS IMPRISONMENT
The Emalahleni Regional Court has convicted and sentenced Victor Presley Magampa (37), from Dennilton in Limpopo to two life terms plus additional 115 years imprisonment, for multiple counts of rape and robbery with aggravating circumstances. The accused pleaded guilty and was subsequently convicted on five counts of rape, and six counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances. The court heard that between 2013 and 2016, Magampa targeted women hitchhiking in various sports in areas surrounding Emalahleni, Vosman, Mhluzi, and Kwa Mhlanga.
He would give them a lift, drive them to the nearest bushes, rob them of their belongings like bank cards, and cellphones, and then rape them. The victims reported cases, were linked to the crime through DNA, and were subsequently arrested. In court, the state argued that the accused pleaded guilty because of the overwhelming evidence the state had on him. Regional Court Prosecutor Ellen Mafata led testimonies of the victims about the trauma they experienced, because of the rape incidents.
Mafata further argued that the court should not deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence to address the scourge of gender-based violence. Magistrate Combrinck took into consideration all relevant factors placed before it and sentenced the accused accordingly.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the conviction and sentence, this affirms our commitment to curbing the scourge of gender-based violence.
