Johannesburg – Emotions ran high on Tuesday in the South Gauteng High Court when three men were found guilty of raping two women and killing their husbands.
Mduduzi Lawrence Mathibela, 33, Edmore Ndlovu, 24, and Thabo Nkala, 26, were also found guilty of robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The trio was allegedly part of a twelve man gang who accosted the two couples while they were walking in Rhodes Park on October 17, 2015.
The two women were raped, while their husbands were stripped and ordered into the lake, where they drowned.
The women, who were seated next to each other, hugged and cried uncontrollably after the guilty verdict was delivered. Social workers and the investigating officers were also unable to hold back their emotions as they embraced each other.
"Jesus is alive, thank you Jesus," said one of the social workers in tears while comforting the women.
Judge Papi Masopa found the three men guilty on two counts of rape, two counts of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Arguments in mitigation and aggravation of sentence are expected to be heard on Tuesday afternoon.