Serial rapist sentenced to 57 years in prison. A 30-year-old serial rapist was found guilty of attempted rape, three charges of rape, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and housebreaking. He was given a 57-year prison term.
On Tuesday, Lucky Mashatola of the Limpopo town of Kgapane Sethone went before the Polokwane High Court where he was found guilty and given a sentence.
Mashatola entered a not-guilty plea to the accusations during the trial.According to Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, a spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the court heard specifics of Mashatola’s crimes.
“Between February 2018 and December 2021, Mashatola threatened two victims with a knife and demanded to have sexual intercourse with them. The other victim was sleeping alone in her house when the accused broke in and raped her. He further took the cellphone of the other victim.”
Dzhangi said in aggravation of the sentence, the state advocate, Sewela Rangwato, submitted that rape does not only “violate the victim’s privacy and personal integrity, it also leaves a serious psychological and physical impact”.
“She further said that women should walk freely on the streets, and do their shopping without fear of being victimized.
“The prosecutor further said that there are no substantial or compelling circumstances for the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence.”
Judge George Phatudi noted after sentence that the defendants lacked remorse, their right of movement had been violated, and they had threatened the victims with items.
The court further ordered the sentence to run concurrently and stated that the daily murder and rape of women and children in the nation must stop.
Dzhangi said that Mashatola’s sentence had been accepted by the NPA.
“The NPA welcomes the sentence and applauds the good work done by Advocate Rangwato and investigating officer Sergeant Mike Motalane of Serial and Electronic Crimes Investigation.
