Port Elizabeth - Three Eastern Cape men were each sentenced to double life imprisonment after they were found guilty for gang raping two high school girls, the National Prosecuting Authority said in a statement on Monday.
NPA regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said Katiso Ralikotsi, 25, Bandile Fikanisi, 21, and Kwandile Moleko, 20, were sentenced in the Mount Frere Regional Court last week.
Tyali said that during August 2013, four men broke into a house in which two teenage girls, aged 16, were boarding.
The girls boarded at the house in order to be closer to a high school they attended in Madamini Village in the district of Mount Frere.
"After gaining entry to the house, the men threatened the occupants with a knife and hammer, and took turns raping them for the whole night. In the morning, they left and the girls reported the rape to a traditional leader who summoned the police," said Tyali.
The fourth accomplice involved in the crime has since died.
Tyali said that during trial, prosecutor Chumile Mkentane presented DNA results, which linked the three suspects to the crime.
Tyali added that the three men were also sentenced to five years for housebreaking with intent to commit a crime.