Serial rapist and murderer gets life terms in prison

The recent long jail sentence for a murderer and serial rapist, handed down by the Limpopo High Court in Thohoyandou, has left residents sighing with relief.

Even the SAPS in Limpopo is heaving a sigh of relief following the sentencing of the convict. Tshelani Edward Risimati (35) was sentenced to ten life terms by the Limpopo High Court in Thohoyandou on ten counts of rape, one life term for murder and 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances. The crimes were committed between 2012 and 2015. 

Risimati killed Rofhiwa Nephawe (34) in May 2015. He further raped ten women aged between 34 and 86 at Mavunda, Habengwa, Tshaulu, Mashau, Mutale and Dumela in the Vhembe district. He attacked his victims in their fields while busy ploughing during the day and then raped and robbed them. In only one incident he attacked and raped the victim in her house.

The long sentences were welcomed by the Provincial Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nneke Ledwaba, who said it would serve as a deterrent for other criminals. Ledwaba also commended the detectives who worked around the clock in their endeavour to remove criminals from the streets.

He assured all the residents of the province that the police are determined to fight all the crimes affecting women and children without mercy or compromise. He also congratulated members of the community for the reliable information they gave to the police which led to this arrest and conviction.

Date:16 April 2017

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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