THOHOYANDOU – Three men, Peter Khadammbi (25), Ephraim Mamburu (24) and Samson Khadammbi (25), all from Maebane village in the Kutama area, were sentenced to long terms of imprisonment for rape.

Their case was finalized in the Thohoyandou High Court on Tuesday.

The court heard that on November 5, 1999, the first and the second accused, Peter Khadammbi and Ephraim Mammburu, raped a 16 year-old-girl one after the other during an ordeal that took place at Maebane Village. The second incident took place at the same village two days later, on November 7, when the first two accused, together with Samson Khadammbi (25), gang-raped two 14-year-old girls during the night. The first and the third accused are twin brothers.

Although a report from the Tshilwavhusiku-based social worker pleaded with the presiding officer to give the accused a lenient sentence of correctional supervision, Judge Hetisani overlooked that. Before sentencing the accused, Judge Hetisani took his time to explain to the court to why it was necessary for the court to give the accused long jail sentences.

He indicated that the accused had at no stage during the court proceedings showed any sign of remorse. He also stated that the accused had previous convictions. The first two accused were sentenced to 8 years in jail on the first count which they committed in 1999 November 5.

A further 8-year jail sentence was imposed on each of them for the second count in which they, together with the third accused, Samson Khadammbi, gang-raped two 14-year-old girls. The third accused was also sentenced to 8 years in jail.

Judge Hetisani also indicated that the accused were lucky because the ages of the victims in the second incident were not confirmed, saying he would have sentenced them to a life term of imprisonment if it was proved beyond doubt that the victims were minors at the time of the incident.

Adv KT Madzaga appeared for the accused and Adv RJ Makhera prosecuted.