Update
GEORGE NEWS - A serial child rapist from Thembalethu, Ivan Athenkosi Johannes (20), received three life sentences plus 210 years imprisonment in the circuit High Court in George on Tuesday 4 September.
Johannes entered a plea agreement with the state in which he pleaded guilty to all 17 charges against him. These include eight charges of rape, abduction and robbery with aggravated circumstances. The victims were seven boys aged between 7 and 13, and one girl (11).
The sentence, which was handed down by Judge ED Wille, will run concurrently.
Johannes had just turned 18 when he started preying on minors for sex on 8 January 2015 at a play park near Thembalethu Thusong centre in Zone 1. He approached five boys who were playing in the park. He lured them into the bushes under the pretence that he would give them bicycles.
Once they were there, he threatened to kill them. He assaulted one of the boys and raped him. He also forced the other boys to rape one another. After this incident Johannes continued abducting and raping minors until 14 August 2016.
He threatened his victims with either a knife or a panga, which terrified them. Some victims were also robbed of their belongings after they were raped.
All the children immediately reported the incidents to their parents, after which they reported it to the police. At first unable to apprehend him, the police conducted identity parades and medical examinations and collected forensic samples. It was the forensic evidence that led to Johannes's arrest on 16 January 2017.
The accused has three previous convictions relating to the Sexual Offences Act in which the victims were 6 and 7 years old, and another of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Before sentencing, all the parents of the victims were consulted and they are satisfied with the terms of the plea agreement.
Read a previous article: Reeksverkragter kry 210 jaar
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