An Eastern Cape serial rapist is considered to be so dangerous that a Grahamstown High Court judge sent him to jail for an “indefinite” period.
Judge Thamie Mbashe said that she would have sentenced 29-year-old Lonwabo Solontsi, to 12 life terms and a total of 706 years imprisonment.
However, she reportedly said in her sentencing judgment on Friday that Solontsi is “declared a dangerous criminal” and as such sentenced him to an “indefinite period” of imprisonment.
She ordered that he be brought before a court at the expiration of twenty-five years for consideration of his sentence in terms of Section 286 (B)(2).
Justice Mbashe also denied Solontsi’s application for leave to appeal.
Considered to be the country’s worst serial rapist by the SAPS, Solontsi was earlier convicted on 39 counts of rape, seven counts of robbery, 14 counts of aggravated robbery, four counts of housebreaking with intent to rape and three counts of Housebreaking with intent to rape and robbery.
Eastern Cape provincial police spokesperson, Captain Mali Govender, said Solontsi committed the offences 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,” she said.
Eastern Cape provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General, Liziwe Ntshinga, congratulated the team of detectives from the Provincial Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offence Unit.
She said they worked long hours and made immeasurable sacrifices to ensure the successful conviction and sentencing of Solontsi.
“You have ensured that this predator will not be back on the streets preying on innocent victims," she said.
Lead 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 of my hard work paid off."
(Pic: Supplied)
