KZN man gets five life sentences for sexual assault, housebreaking
The Durban High Court has handed down five life terms and a further 103 years in prison to a 35-year-old man convicted on 29 counts of rape, sexual assault and housebreaking.
Nkosinathi Mthembu committed the crimes in Tongaat between 2014 and last year.
Judge Gregory Kruger said he found no compelling reasons not to hand Mthembu the stiff sentence he’s received for the crimes he’s committed, adding the crimes were well planned, violent.
The court found that while the defence had argued that the accused is young and has the potential to be rehabilitated, he had not learnt from his previous convictions.
Mthembu had been released on parole for only five months for having received stolen property when he began what the judge has described as a "reign of terror" in Tongaat.
Judge Kruger said he broke into people’s homes not with the intention to rob them but rather to rape them.
He said society needs to be protected from people like Mthembu and that the lengthy jail term was to ensure that.
#MthembuSentencing Nkosinathi Mthembu sentenced to 5x life & 103yrs in prison - to run concurrently
— Khatija Nxedlana (@its_KhaTija) May 13, 2016
#MthembuSentencing Judge says no compelling or substantial circumstances presented to deviate from prescribed sentence
— Khatija Nxedlana (@its_KhaTija) May 13, 2016
#MthembuSentencing Judge says crimes are serious & violent. Society demands lengthy imprisonment
— Khatija Nxedlana (@its_KhaTija) May 13, 2016
#MthembuSentencing Accused released on parole in Oct. 2013. Not long after, he began what Judge calls "reign of terror" in Tongaat area
— Khatija Nxedlana (@its_KhaTija) May 13, 2016
#Mthembu Convicted of 5x rape; 3x sexual assault; 6x house breaking; 2x assault GBH; 2x house breaking with intent to steal; 1x theft
— Khatija Nxedlana (@its_KhaTija) May 13, 2016
#MthembuSentencing Accused has 2 previous convictions (1 for house breaking, 1 for receiving stolen goods) He served almost 1yr for latter
— Khatija Nxedlana (@its_KhaTija) May 13, 2016
Nkosinathi Mthembu to appear before Dbn. High Court for sentencing. Convicted on counts including rape, sexual assault, house breaking
— Khatija Nxedlana (@its_KhaTija) May 13, 2016