Monster serial rapist's five life sentences welcomed

The sentencing and conviction of "monster" Gauteng rapist, Charles Mthetwa, who was handed down five life sentences on Friday, has been hailed as a victory in the fight against gender-based violence.

Mthewthwa, who had been terrorising the communities of Olifantsfontein, Ivory Park and Erasmia between 2013 and 2015, was sentenced by the Gauteng North High Court to an effective five life sentences and a 100 years behind bars for crimes that include assault, rape, robbery, kidnapping and murder.

Gauteng Police Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Deliwe de Lange has hailed the sentencing and conviction of Mthetwa as a victory in the fight against gender-based violence.

“We are convinced that the diligent work by members of our component specialising in cases related to Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS), will go a long way in making sure that perpetrators of such offenses deservedly face the full might of the law,” De Lange.

said. 

The sentence comes as the South African Police Service (SAPS) has committed itself to prioritise the investigation of cases against women and children, in line with Minister Fikile Mbalula’s Six Point Action Plan on Gender-based Violence. Mbalula's plan includes the sensitive treatment of victims, assistance in a private room setting, victim referral for medical examination, investigation by the FCS or detective with relevant training, referral to support services such as psychological and legal aid and providing victims with feedback on progress of their cases.

With the Safer Festive Season operations underway and the upcoming 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, Lieutenant General De Lange urged members of the public to continue to work closely with the police.  

De Lange called on South Africans to report crime, as well as to follow and adhere to safety tips issued by the SAPS over the festive season. 

The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) has also applauded Mthethwa's sentencing, expressing relief that "the monster" has been put behind bars.

"The result of the poor criminal justice system’s response to sexual violence has inadvertently created a culture of impunity, whereby perpetrators of gender based violence such as Mthethwa are convinced that there is only a small chance that they will be reported to the police, arrested and convicted of the crimes they are committing,"  SANCO national spokesperson, Jabu Mahlangu, said.

Mahlangu echoed SANCO general secretary, Skhumbuzo Mpnaza’s call  for preventative and reactive measures to sexual violence to be enhanced to be viable through a long-tern, sustainable strategy to eradicate sexual violence.

Mpanza made the call during his address at the SACP Red October event held in Durban.

Mahlangu commended the investigation and prosecution team on the successful conviction.

“United action involving law enforcement and communities is required to eradicate the scourge of gender based violence,” he said.

He emphasised that active crime prevention structures, i.e. community policing forums, street committees and neighbourhood watches must give confidence to women to reclaim their streets and to walk at any time of day and or night in their neighbourhoods without the fear of being accosted by rapists.