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Raped boys are psychologically scarred

SERIAL RAPIST: Gcinumuzi Mhlambi appears in court for raping and sexually assaulting 11 boys in Sebokeng in the Vaal Photo: Thulani Mbele
SERIAL RAPIST: Gcinumuzi Mhlambi appears in court for raping and sexually assaulting 11 boys in Sebokeng in the Vaal Photo: Thulani Mbele

It is going to take a long time for the 11 boys who fell prey to a convicted serial rapist to be permanently healed psychologically.

The Vereeniging Circuit Court heard that the boys, who were kidnapped and raped by John Gcinumuzi Mhlambi, 31, were still faced with serious traumatic challenges.

Mhlambi preyed on boys aged between 10 and 15 years walking the streets of Sebokeng and neighbouring Vaal townships between 2011 and 2014 until he was arrested. He was arrested at his Sebokeng home on July 2 2014 after one of the victims identified him.

On December 17 last year, Mhlambi was convicted on 12 counts of rape, three sexual assaults, five of robbery with aggravating circumstances, two of kidnapping, four of forcing a child to witness the commission of a sexual offence and an attempted rape.

Some of the mothers of the victims told Sowetan that their children are now stubborn and have behavioural problems.

A mother, who cannot be named to protect her now 15-year-old son, said the case had also caused cracks in her marriage. "Ever since my son was raped, my marriage is shaking. My husband and I are constantly fighting and he is blaming me. What he [Mhlambi] did to my son is painful and has affected everyone in my house. My husband accuses me of dating Mhlambi. I don't know this boy [Mhlambi] and have never met him before he raped my son. I only saw him after he was arrested," she said weeping.

The emotional mother said on Sunday her son wrote a letter addressed to God asking for forgiveness. Her son, who was 11 at the time, was kidnapped by Mhlambi in March 2014 on his way from school. He was taken to a veld and raped. Another mother, whose son was 12 when he was raped two years ago, said her son's behaviour hadchanged and she was worried about his safety. The mother said her son was stubborn and wanted to come to court to see Mhlambi.

Her son was lured by Mhlambi on his way home from church in Sebokeng Zone 14 on December 5 2013. Mhlambi convinced him to accompany him to fetch wood.

Prosecutor Advocate Annelie Coetzee dismissed Mhlambi's plea for a lenient sentence. She called for him to be convicted to life for each count of rape and 15 years for each robbery count.

His lawyer, Advocate Samuel Moeng, pleaded for mercy and said Mhlambi was apologetic to his victims and their parents.

Sentencing continues today.

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