Tonga - A man who raped two girls and robbed their aunt was jailed for in effect 20 years by the Boschfontein Regional Court in Mpumalanga on Friday.
August Mabaso, 33, of KaMhlushwa near Malalane, was arrested on September 1, 2013, a Sapa correspondent reported.
He pleaded guilty to raping two minors and robbing their aunt of a cellphone and R34.50.
The court heard Mabaso was married with two children, aged three and 14, and that his wife was unemployed.
“My client agrees that he committed the offence using a knife and he has pleaded guilty to all three offences,” his Legal Aid representative Mxolisi Mahlalela said.
“He is a first time offender and has shown remorse for his crimes.”
Prosecutor Thulani Msibi told the court that DNA test results linked Mabaso to the crimes.
Magistrate Edgar Moletsane said Mabaso's guilty plea meant State resources and the court's time were not wasted.
“I am happy that you pleaded guilty and I find you guilty as well. Your victims didn't have to come here to testify,” said Moletsane.
Mabaso was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for the robbery and 20 years for both rapes. The sentences would run concurrently.
“Your rights to own a firearm or any dangerous weapons will be taken away from you. Your name will be registered on the sex offenders' register. You are also not allowed to adopt a child or work with kids because you are very dangerous to them,” said Moletsane.
Sapa