Last Thursday, the Louis Trichardt Regional Court sentenced a 35-year-old Mpheni man to three life sentences on three charges of rape which happened in the Elim area.

Eric Rudzani Ndou appeared in court on three charges of rape. He pleaded guilty to the charges.

Ndou admitted to raping two women aged 18 years old and a 15-year-old girl in the Elim area on 16 June 2011, 17 December 2011 and 1 January 2012 respectively. In mitigation, the accused indicated that he was a first offender, a taxi driver, and that he was married and had two children, aged 10 and 15. “I am remorseful,” said Ndou.

The state prosecutor, however, argued that Ndou had only pleaded guilty because he realised he had been linked to all three charges after DNA tests were done. “Rape is considered by society as the most heinous of crimes and the victims in this case may suffer psychological harm for the rest of their lives,” said the prosecutor.

The court said it was not understandable why Ndou chose not to explain the details on his rape charges, such as how and the reasons why he raped the victims. "You left everything to remain in a grey area," said the court.

In sentencing Ndou, the court declared him unfit to posses a fire-arm and his details were automatically entered into the national register of sexual offenders. An order declaring a non-parole period until he has served 15 years in jail was attached to his three life terms. His sentences will run concurrently.

Meanwhile, Ndou still has to face more court cases as he is also charged with sexual offences allegedly committed in Mamelodi and Villieria in Gauteng.