12 life sentences for Sharpeville serial rapist

 Moeketsi Emmanuel Monyake (34) was given a harsh sentence last week for having raped young children from Sharpeville, Boipatong and Vereeniging between the ages of 6 and 10 years.

Some of the victims were children related to his high school friends, neighbours and even family friends.

Monyake would take the kids by promising them different things and sometimes telling them to accompany him to certain places.

He would then take them to the nearest veld and rape them sometimes he would even spend the night with them.

The proceedings at the Vereeniging High Court saw Judge Kobus Strydom hand down the judgement of 12 life sentences for rape, 35 years for kidnapping and 3 months for common assault.

Strydom further stated that Monyake had been declared unfit to possess a firearm or to work with children, adding that his name would be placed in the register for sexual offenders.

“The court sees no reasonable evidence to deviate from the minimum sentence.” Monyake’s leave to appeal was also denied by the judge, stating that no other court would come to a different conclusion.

A mother to one of the victims who introduced herself only as Felicity says, “I am finding it very difficult to forgive.

“My child has been left scarred both physically, mentally and emotionally. I will never forgive him for violating my little girl in that manner. He raped her repeatedly.”

Another mother who also did not want to be named to protect her little girl stated that forgiveness was the only way they could all get healed. Another serial rapist, Gcinimuzi Mhlambe from Sebokeng also received a heavy sentence from the same courts in April this year.