_{Nelspruit, 21 May 2024 – The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has welcomed the 25-year imprisonment sentence imposed on Monday, 20 May 2024, by the Boschfontein Regional Court upon a serial rapist, John Innocent Ndlala (40).}

_{The court heard how Ndlala entered a victim’s house at Mbangwane Trust in the early hours of 2 June 2012, around 01:30 am, and raped a woman who was 59 years old at the time. Initially, the perpetrator’s identity was unknown. A rape case was subsequently opened, and the docket was assigned to the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.}

_{On 22 July 2012, Ndlala raped another woman, aged 25 at the time, also at Mbangwane Trust. This incident occurred around 18:00 when the victim was returning home from visiting friends. Along the way, she encountered Ndlala, whom she knew. He suddenly grabbed her and took her to an abandoned shop, where he raped her. A passerby informed the victim’s family, who quickly responded and cornered Ndlala, pelting him with stones, prompting him to flee the scene.}

_{This incident was reported to the police, and the FCS Unit began its investigation. The following day, 23 July 2012, Ndlala was arrested. During the investigation, the FCS Unit linked Ndlala to the earlier rape case from 2 June 2012, leading to additional charges.}

_{The trial presented a strong case against Ndlala, resulting in his conviction. For the rape of the 59-year-old woman, he was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. For the rape of the 25-year-old woman, he received a 25-year sentence. The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, and Ndlala’s name will be entered into the register of Sexual Offenders.}

_{In delivering the sentence, the court emphasized the severity of the crimes and the necessity of protecting the community from such dangerous individuals. The 25-year imprisonment serves as a strong message that such acts will not be tolerated, and perpetrators will be held accountable.}

_{Lieutenant General Manamela commended the investigative team, prosecutors, and judiciary for their diligent work in ensuring justice was served. “We commend the diligent work of the investigation team, prosecutors, and the judiciary in ensuring that justice was served in this case. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we hope that this sentence brings them some measure of closure and healing. We must continue to stand together against all forms of violence and support survivors of such traumatic experiences. Let this sentence serve as a reminder that perpetrators of sexual violence will face the full force of the law,” said General Manamela.}