The High Court of South Africa in Johannesburg has sentenced e-hailing driver, Emmanuel Mudau (30) to two life imprisonment terms plus 60 years for four counts of rape, four of kidnapping and two of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

TARGETING WOMEN

The court heard that Mudau was registered as a driver with Bolt between January and February 2022, he targeted women who requested transportation from Cosmo City to various destinations, using the Bolt App. 

"The four complainants testified that as soon as they entered Mudau’s vehicle, he refused to take them to their intended destinations and took them to secluded areas where he instructed them to undress and raped them. In two separate incidents, the complainants tried to run away, one was stabbed, and the other was strangled,"said NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwana.

PAINTING A GRUESOME PICTURE

One of the complainants testified in aggravation of sentence, painting the gruesome picture of how living with the trauma and fear has become part of her life and that she believes that she will live with it for the rest of her life. 

State prosecutor Advocate, Coleen Ryan, argued that the court should not deviate from the prescribed sentences, stating that the victims will be scared for the rest of their lives. 

"As we reflect on this outcome, our thoughts are with the complainants and their families. They suffered immeasurable pain, and the memory of this ordeal will remain irked in their minds for a lifetime. We, however, hope that they find solace in that the perpetrator has been removed from society," said Ryan.