Two local criminals receive life imprisonment for rape and house robbery

The life sentences meted out to two criminals in Thohoyandou came as good news for the police in the area.

Lawrence Makwarela (38) and his partner in crime, Mashudu Munyai Nengovhela (42), were convicted of rape and house robbery with aggravating circumstances.

The High Court in Thohoyandou heard that the two had broken into a house in Muledane outside Thohoyandou in Limpopo on the night of 22 March 2014 at around 20:00, finding two females aged 34 and 13. They threatened them with knives and ended up raping them at knife point.

It was further indicated in court that they also robbed their victims of their possessions, which included cellphones, music systems and R400 in cash, before fleeing the scene.

Makwarela was sentenced to two life terms on two counts of rape and a 40-year jail term for robbery with aggravating circumstances. The sentences will run concurrently. Munyai was sentenced to one life term for rape and 30 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances and the sentences will run concurrently.

The owner of the house where the crimes were committed said the sentence gave them hope that there is still justice in the country. “We are greatly consoled, even though we will not be able to reverse the incident; justice has taken its course,” said the 39-year-old mother.

Thohoyandou police spokesperson Major Mashudu Malelo has hailed the heavy sentences, saying they would serve as a deterrent to would-be criminals. “We are extremely excited at the outcome of the whole case, from the arrest until the finalization of the case. We commend the justice system for a job well done and we hope criminals will fear committing crimes as a result of the heavy sentences,” he said.

Date:29 January 2016

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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