Eastern Cape SAPS Commissioner welcomes 13 life terms handed to serial rapist

Relentless efforts by the Eastern Cape Provincial Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS), together with the criminal justice system, resulted in the Port Elizabeth High Court sentencing a convicted serial rapist to 13 life terms on Thursday.

The sentences came after 27-year-old Mzikayise Mkavu pleaded guilty on 36 charges of rape on Monday.

"The efforts of a dedicated team of investigators were rewarded when Mzikayise Mkavu (27) was sentenced effectively to 228 years imprisonment for a string of charges including rape and subsequently removed from society," described police spokesperson, Captain Gerda Swart.

"Mkavu terrorised the area around Kwanobuhle, Uitenhage, between 13 July 2008 and 2016 and raped several victims between the ages of 16 and 31-years-old."

She said that Mkavu was linked to the rape charges through his DNA after being arrested in April 2016.

"An effective 228-years prison sentence was handed down today for a serial rapist, who for years had waged a reign of terror among the Kwanobuhle community.

"Mkavu faced 17 charges of rape, ten for assault with the intent to do grievously bodily harm, eight charges of robbery with aggravated circumstances and one charge of attempted murder," added Captain Swart.

The sentence of the accused was welcomed by the South African Police Service and the investigation team’s dedication to ensure that justice will be served is highly appreciated by the Eastern Cape police management.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape, Lt General Liziwe Ntshinga said: “We commend the detectives of our Provincial FCS Unit and our justice system for their sterling efforts in bringing the perpetrator to book. The SAPS has the responsibility to protect the vulnerable in society and these responsibilities are taken very seriously through thorough investigations”.

“Sentences such as this will send a strong message to potential rapists and we trust that the lengthy sentence will serve as a deterrent to criminals preying on our women and children who are not in a position to defend themselves”.