Country’s worst serial rapist sentenced at Grahamstown High Court today

KING WILLIAM’S TOWN: Elated with the sentencing, Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga said today, “Congratulations to the team of detectives from the Provincial Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offence Unit who worked long hours and made immeasurable sacrifices to ensure the successful conviction and sentencing of 29 year old serial rapists, LONWABO SOLONTSI. You have ensured that this predator will not be back on the streets preying on innocent victims.”

Today Judge Thamie Beshe handed down sentence to South Africa’s worst serial rapist, Lonwabo Solontsi after he had been found guilty on 39 counts of rape,

7 counts of Robbery

14 counts of aggravated robbery,

4 counts of house breaking with intent to rape,

3 counts of Housebreaking with intent to rape and robbery.

The offences took place between November 2010 and July 2015. He has two previous convictions for rape and the cases spanned over three Provinces, namely Western Cape, Eastern Cape and the North West Province.

The investigator made an application for centralization. The application was approved.

His victims were exclusively female from age 11 to age 46.

In sentencing Judge Thamie Beshe acknowledged, “the hard work and commitment of the investigators, the investigator including the coordination of the DNA.”

She stated that she would have imposed 12 life sentences and a total of 706 years imprisonment, however in handing down her judgement she said:” The accused is declared a dangerous criminal. He is sentenced to undergo imprisonment for an *indefinite period*. It is ordered that he be brought before a court at the expiration of twenty five (25)years for consideration of his sentence in terms of Section 286 (B)(2)

The accused’s leave to appeal was dismissed.

During an interview with the investigating officer Sergeant Sizwe Gaika said “It was a very challenging case. I had the assistance of Advocate Turner every step of the way. I’m very happy with the outcome as all my hard work paid off.”

Source: South African Police Service

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