By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
E-hailing driver Emmanuel Mudau (30) has been sentenced to two life imprisonment terms plus 60 years for four counts of rape, four of kidnapping and two of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The sentence was handed down by the High Court of South Africa, sitting in the Gauteng Division on Friday.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s Phindi Mjonondwane says the four survivors told the court that Mudau picked them up, and took them to secluded areas where he raped them.
“The four complainants testified that as soon as they entered Mudau’s vehicle, he refused to take them to their intended destinations and took them to secluded areas where he instructed them to undress and raped them.
“In two separate incidents, the complainants tried to run away, one was stabbed, and the other was strangled to succumb to his demands,” said Mjonondwane.
One of the complainants testified in aggravation of sentence, telling the court how living with the trauma and fear has become part of her life.
“State Advocate, Coleen Ryan, echoed her sentiments when she argued that the court should not deviate from the ordained sentences, stating that these women have been scared for the rest of their lives.
“As we reflect on this outcome, our thoughts are with the complainants and their families. They suffered immeasurable pain, and the memory of this ordeal will remain irked in their minds for a lifetime. We, however, hope that they find solace in that the perpetrator has been removed from society,” she added.
Last year, the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court sentenced 33-year-old Thomas Mnyai to life improsonment on a charge of rape, 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, and another five years for kidnapping.
At the time, the NPA said Monyai hooked up on Facebook and started dating the rape victim, a woman who was based in Limpopo.