HEFTY SENTENCES FOR BEKKERSDAL RAPIST
The Westonaria Magistrates’ Court sentenced 30-year-old Ntlantla Hlongwane, to 10 years direct imprisonment for rape, another 15 years direct imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, another 10 years for rape, and a further six months imprisonment for assault. One of the rape sentences will run concurrently with the sentence imposed for assault, resulting in an effective imprisonment term of 25 years and six months.
On 23 September 2017, at about 02h00, Amahle Mlaza (27) was coming from a nearby tavern heading home. Mlaza was approached by the accused, who was wearing a balaclava covering his face. The accused threatened Mlaza and robbed her of her cellphone, assaulted, and further dragged her to nearby bushes where he proceeded to rape her. The incident took place in Bekkersdal. Mlaza went to report the incident to the police but was unable to identify the accused because he was wearing a balaclava that hid his face.
Hlongwane continued his reign of terror in Bekkersdal on 16 February 2019. At around midnight, he went to Reitumetse Kotope’s (21) house. Kotope was sleeping in the house. The accused gained entry into the house through an open window. Hlongwane threatened Kotope with a knife and proceeded to rape her. When Kotope went to the police station to report the incident, she was unable to identify the accused because he was wearing a balaclava when he committed the act. In both cases, DNA samples were obtained and stored. Hlongwane’s DNA was linked to the DNA samples extracted from both complainants when he was arrested on another case of murder that he is currently serving life imprisonment. The accused raised a defence of consent on both incidents, whereby he stated that Kotope and Mlaza were in a romantic relationship with him. He alleged that he had sexual intercourse with both the victims.
In arguing for a firmer sentence, Regional Court Prosecutor Jonathan Nkadimeng argued that the accused has been found guilty of a serious offence that is very prevalent within the court’s jurisdiction The state additionally argued that there were no significant or compelling reasons to depart from the mandatory minimum penalty. Our nation is still plagued by gender-based violence, and society has reasonable expectations that those responsible will face severe punishment. The NPA will keep prosecuting these offences with the robustness they deserve. We applaud Adv. Jonathan Nkadimeng and investigating officer Sergeant Lucia Montwedi for ensuring that justice is served.
