Africa-Press – South-Africa. A high court judge has praised the prosecution for proving Moses Khambule is a serial rapist.
Judge Moleboheng Mdalana-Mayisela said in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg the prosecution and police witnesses assisted in proving Khambule’s guilt.
Mdalana-Mayisela added forensic evidence played a crucial role in assisting the State in proving its case.
Khambule, 48, has a previous conviction for rape.
On 7 February 2012, he was sentenced to eight years for rape.
He was later released on parole in August 2015 before being rearrested in 2019.
Khambule was found guilty on Monday on four counts of kidnapping, seven counts of rape and one count of robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Delivering her judgment, Mdalana-Mayisela said: “Khambule pleaded not guilty to the charges and opted not to give a plea explanation. He then testified in his defence and didn’t call witnesses to corroborate his evidence.”
Victims
One of his victims was three months’ pregnant at the time.
The oldest was 69 years.
His youngest female victims were aged seven and 11 at the time.
The other was a 12-year-old boy who was also raped at knife point.
His 15-year-old victim was raped and stabbed in her right thumb and thighs. He also bit her left forearm.
The offences were committed between 2015 and 2019 in the Randfontein area.
“The complainants were honest. They [positively] implicated Khambule. They didn’t falsely accuse Khambule. I welcome their evidence. He failed to give an explanation why his DNA was found in the swabs collected from the victims.
Mdalana-Mayisela said:
Two police officers testified every human being had DNA unique to them.
“They linked Khambule through his DNA. I am satisfied that the accused kidnapped and raped the complainants. I am also satisfied that the accused is the person who also robbed one of the complainants.
“All complainants testified that he used a big knife, taken against their will, raped and they claimed that the accused was a black person who spoke either Setswana, IsiZulu or IsiXhosa. The offences were committed in broad daylight.
Serial rapist found guilty of attacking four women and girls, including pregnant teen
“The victims claimed the perpetrator wore a cap. He is isiZulu speaking but can speak Setswana. His modus operandi clearly showed that only one person committed the offences.
“The accused took the victims from a public place to a secluded area. I am convinced that the State has proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The State failed to lead evidence that one of the victims was raped twice.
“One victim was raped until she lost consciousness. Considering the evidence in totality, I find that the accused’s version is not reasonably true. In taking into account, the DNA result, and modus operandi, I find that the State proved that the accused committed the offences in the indictment,” Mdalana-Mayisela.
Khambule was acquitted on a charge of possession of an unlicenced firearm.
Sentencing proceedings have been postponed until 18 October.
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