Metro

South African serial rapist bags 83 years in jail

Published

2 years ago

February 26, 2023

A 29-year-old South African serial rapist, Moses Charles Mahlangu, has been sentenced to 83 years imprisonment after he was found guilty of five charges of rape, five counts of kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances and one count of sexual assault.

Mahlangu was convicted on Friday by the Kwaggafontein Regional Court a series of rapes and robbery crimes he committed between August 2017 and May 2019, in Vlaklaagte in the district of Kwaggafontein.

Spokesperson for the SA NPA. Monica Nyuswa, who spoke after the ruling said “Mahlangu targeted women walking in a pathway between Gembokspruit and Vlaaklagte number 2, threatened them with a sharp object resembling a screwdriver, force them to the bush and rape them.”

“He would sometimes rob them of their belongings like cellphones. Cases were opened, and the accused was traced via a recovered cellphone and was subsequently linked to other rapes through DNA.”

Though the accused denied the allegations against him, state prosecutor Nicky Coetzer, who led evidence of the victims testified about how the convict encountered his victims in the pathway between Gembokspruit and Vlaklaagte.

“They (victims) told the court about how they suffered at the hands of the accused, and the evidence was supported by positive DNA, linking Mahlangu with the crime of rape. Coetzer, handed in victim impact statements, detailing how the rape incidents impacted on them.

“Magistrate Greyvenstein found the accused guilty as charged.”

“The NPA acknowledged the good work done by the prosecution and the investigating team in delivering justice to the victims of gender-based violence,” said Nyuswa.

Following the testimonies by the victims, the court said it found no substantial and compelling circumstances that warrant a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence and therefore sentenced the accused as prescribed by law, and duly sentenced him.

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

2 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

7 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.