"I have bad luck. When someone has been raped, they come to me"

THE 26-year-old taxi driver who allegedly preyed on pupils in Mpumalanga and has been charged with rape, believes he has bad luck.

Selby Sambo of Langeloop village in Shongwe near Tonga told the Tonga District Court during his bail hearing: "I have bad luck. When someone has been raped, they come to me."

Sambo's claim came after prosecutor Frederick Mlembe put it to him that he was a repeat offender.

"You are [a] regular in court on rape cases," Said Mlembe.

Sambo is facing three counts of rape, one of intimidation and two of assault. He allegedly raped his victims between August 2008 and February this year.

He has another pending case of rape in the regional court. The victim in this case is 49 years old.

Sambo was convicted of rape on January 24 and on May 10 and given suspended sentences.

Three other cases of rape were provisionally withdrawn.

Sambo confirmed all the cases. He said he was given suspended sentences because he and his victims, who were 16 at the time, were in a relationship.

He said he did not know that sleeping with a girl below the age of 16 was against the law.

Investigating officer Warrant Officer Dickson Mkhatshwa told the court the community was tired of Sambo's conduct .

Magistrate NK Makhaya is expected to deliver judgment today.