South Africa: Preteen Rapist Sentenced To Life Imprisonment

A 35-year-old rapist from Diepsloot was sentenced to two life imprisonment terms by the Randburg magistrate's court on Tuesday for the 2019 rape of two minor girls, aged seven and eight. 

Gift Mahlangu, 35, was given two life sentences for repeatedly raping two young girls, ages seven and eight, according to NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.

In addition, he received a five-year sentence for kidnapping and an additional two years for violating the Immigration Act.

Mjonondwane claims that the accused approached the two girls as they were playing soccer in Diepsloot.

“He took them to the nearby bush area, where he threatened them and told them he was carrying a gun.

“Mahlangu smeared their faces with sand and proceeded to rape them. On their way home the victims met community members and relayed their ordeal.

“The parents and the community members mobilised and assaulted the accused and that is when he fled to the nearest police station to open a case of assault against the community members.

"The members then explained to the police what really happened,” Mjonondwane said.  

Given Mbedzi, the state's prosecutor argued that the court should not accept the accused's claim that his ex-girlfriend planted his semen on one of the minor girls because the minor girls gave credible, conflict-free testimony.

Mbedzi begged the court not to depart from the mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison, arguing that there were no good causes for the court to do otherwise.

Mahlangu's name was added to the national register of sex offenders, and Magistrate Gail Pretorius ruled that he was unfit to work with children.

The prosecutor and the investigation officer, Sgt. Ntaupane has received praise from the NPA for making sure Mahlangu was held accountable for his inhumane crimes against defenceless young children.