Key Points:
- Mulero Nyangero was sentenced to life in prison for rape and five additional years for robbery.
- The victim escaped after the attack and reported the incident at a police station.
- The magistrate emphasized Nyangero’s lack of remorse and brutal treatment of the victim.
PRETORIA, South Africa — The Pretoria Magistrates’ Court sentenced a Zimbabwean man to life in prison for raping and robbing a woman in Pretoria West. The case has drawn national attention due to the brutality of the attack and the court’s strong stance on gender-based violence.
Attack in the Bushes: How the Crime Unfolded
The court handed Mulero Nyangero, a 32-year-old Zimbabwean national, a life sentence for rape. In addition, it sentenced him to five more years for robbery with aggravating circumstances. The court ruled the sentences would run concurrently.
According to Lumka Mahanjana, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the incident happened on Aug. 14, 2020, in Pretoria West. While the victim jogged along Kloof Street, three men emerged from nearby bushes and approached her. They dragged her into the undergrowth.
Mahanjana explained, “While Nyangero raped her, the other two men assaulted her and threatened her with a knife.”
After the assault, the attackers forced the woman to transfer money to them using cellphone banking. Then, they tied her hands and ran away.
Despite her injuries, the victim untied herself and ran to the road. A passing motorist picked her up and gave her a lift home. Afterward, she went straight to the Pretoria West police station to report the crime.
Conviction and Court Proceedings
Police launched an investigation and arrested Nyangero on Feb. 21, 2021, at a tavern in Pretoria West. Since then, he has remained in custody.
Nyangero pleaded not guilty. He denied committing the crimes and challenged the charges in court.
However, Advocate Chester Molaba, the state prosecutor, presented strong evidence gathered by the investigating officers. He also included the victim’s testimony. Together, these proved Nyangero’s guilt.
During sentencing, Nyangero’s legal representative requested a lighter sentence. He argued that Nyangero was married, had two minor children, and had already spent four years in custody.
Despite this, Molaba opposed any deviation from the life sentence. He emphasized that Nyangero had shown no remorse. Furthermore, he described the attack as “vicious, inhumane, and brutal.” He also stressed the rising prevalence of gender-based violence in South Africa.
Justice Delivered: Court Sends Strong Message
In his ruling, Magistrate Themba Ndwandwe agreed with the prosecution. Themba stated that Nyangero showed no respect for the victim’s humanity.
“He treated the victim like an animal,” Ndwandwe said. “He clearly lacked remorse, and the court finds no reason to reduce the sentence.”
Ndwandwe also confirmed that the court found no substantial or compelling reasons to avoid the mandatory life sentence.
Meanwhile, Marika Jansen Van Vuuren, Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in Gauteng, welcomed the sentence. She praised the efforts of the prosecutor and Captain Mkhonto, the investigating officer.
She added, “This sentence reaffirms our commitment to fighting gender-based violence.”
This case, in which a Zimbabwean man sentenced for such a violent crime, highlights the seriousness with which courts are addressing these cases. Ultimately, the sentence ensures that the Zimbabwean man sentenced no longer poses a threat to society.
Related Case: Life Sentence for Child Rape
In a similar ruling last year, the Pretoria North Magistrates’ Court sentenced a 28-year-old man from Akasia to life in prison. He raped his girlfriend’s 12-year-old sister in July 2021.
The young girl had visited her sister, who lived with the accused. During that visit, the man sexually assaulted her. The court chose not to release his name to protect the identity of the victim.
