The life sentence meted out to a rapist, Evans Munyai, by the Thohoyandou High Court was hailed by  the police as good enough to serve as deterrent to would-be rapists.

Munyai (22) was sentenced last week for a case that occurred in 2013 at Lufule outside Thohoyandou.

The court heard that he and his four accomplices confronted a 14-year-old girl who, together with her neighbour, were busy celebrating on New Year's eve. They threatened them with a lasher, but the neighbour managed to run away, fearing for his life.

The girl was forcefully taken to nearby bushes where she was gang-raped by all the men. The police later launched an intensive investigation, which led to the arrest of the five. The charges against four of the accused were later withdrawn, but Munyai was convicted of the crime.

Reacting after the sentencing, Thohoyandou police spokesperson Const Avhafarei Tshiovhe said the sentence was good and would send a message that crime did not pay. “We are very excited as police and we commend the justice system for a job well done. Criminals will think twice before committing crime and we believe the sentence will also strengthen the belief in the community that there is still justice in this country,” she said.