Bheki Cele DNA backlog

Serial rapist gets seven life terms and 83 direct imprisonment. Image: https://rapecrisis.org.za/

Serial rapist gets 7-life terms and 83 years direct imprisonment

Serial rapist gets seven life terms imprisonment.

Bheki Cele DNA backlog

Serial rapist gets seven life terms and 83 direct imprisonment. Image: https://rapecrisis.org.za/

A serial rapist is likely to die in jail after he was handed down a seven-life term and 83 years direct imprisonment for raping seven women and several other crimes.

SERIAL RAPIST GUILTY ON 9 COUNTS OF RAPE

The High Court of South Africa: The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court in Mbombela has convicted and sentenced the 40-year-old serial rapist Elvis Aaron Zulu from Daantjie in Pienaar to seven life terms and 83 years of direct imprisonment.

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Zulu was found guilty on 22 counts, ranging from nine counts of rape, six counts of kidnapping, three counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, three counts of pointing a firearm, and one of possessing an unlicensed firearm.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Monica Nyuswa says Zulu’s reign of terror started from January 2011 to November 2014 in Pienaar in the district of KaBokweni.

Serial rapist life imprisonment
Serial rapist sentenced to seven life terms and 83 years direct imprisonment. Image: Pixabay

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83 YEARS DIRECT IMPRISONMENT FOR SERIAL RAPIST

Nyuswa says the serial rapist would target his victims at gunpoint, take them to a nearby house and rape them.

“He would sometimes take his victims to a nearby graveyard, rape them and rob them of their belongings. One of the victims was a minor when the incident happened. Three other victims were gang raped by the accused and his unknown co-perpetrators.

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In November 2014, after he and his unknown accomplices accosted another victim at Pienaar. “They took the victim’s cellphone, dragged her to Hope of the Nations Ministry Church, and raped her, taking turns.”

State Advocate Tshepo Mahasha led evidence of all victims who testified. Evidence of DNA linking the accused to the offence was also led. A victim impact statement compiled by the victims and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Nomfundo Mokoena was also handed in.

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In sentencing Zulu to life and 83 years direct imprisonment, Judge Takalane Ratshivhumo said the serial rapist failed to show remorse.

“The court declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm. The accused’s name is further ordered to be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared unfit to work with children.”

Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Nkebe Kanyane welcomes the sentence. She commends the good work done by the prosecution and the police in securing this conviction.

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