THERE was jubilation outside the Modimolle high court yesterday after the sentencing of David Nnana Rannditsheni of the serial killings in the area.
The families of the victims expressed satisfaction at the punishment meted out to the man responsible for a spate of rapes and murders.
Most of the victims ages ranged between three and 13.
Rannditsheni was yesterday found guilty of 46 charges including rape, murder, kidnapping and indecent assault.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the 10 murder charges, another life term for each of the 15 rape charges, 10 years each on 18 kidnapping cases, and two 20-year sentences for indecent assault and rape.
Judge RD Claassen ruled that Rannditsheni serve at least 35 years in jail before being considered for parole.
Anna Manganyi, 35, the mother of one of the girls who survived the attack of the serial killer, said she was relieved that Rannditsheni was "sent to rot" in jail.
"I'm happy that I will no longer see him because the sight of him always brought pain in my heart," Manganyi said.
"He used to visit our neighbours for drinks and he would consume all kinds of alcohol, ranging from sorghum beer to spirits.
"We never suspected that he could be responsible for the disappearance of the children."
Thirty-two-year-old Christina Motshabi's daughter Johanna disappeared in 2006 and has never been found.
She said she was happy with the sentence, though she still wants to know where her child is.
"But I find solace in the fact that the perpetrator has been removed from society so that we can live in peace," Motshabi said.
Johanna Makhubela, 43, the grandmother of three-year-old Matshidiso, who was raped and strangled, also could not hide her excitement.
"It is the happiest day of my life," she said.
Jubilation as rapist sent to 'rot in jail'
THERE was jubilation outside the Modimolle high court yesterday after the sentencing of David Nnana Rannditsheni of the serial killings in the area.
The families of the victims expressed satisfaction at the punishment meted out to the man responsible for a spate of rapes and murders.
Most of the victims ages ranged between three and 13.
Rannditsheni was yesterday found guilty of 46 charges including rape, murder, kidnapping and indecent assault.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the 10 murder charges, another life term for each of the 15 rape charges, 10 years each on 18 kidnapping cases, and two 20-year sentences for indecent assault and rape.
Judge RD Claassen ruled that Rannditsheni serve at least 35 years in jail before being considered for parole.
Anna Manganyi, 35, the mother of one of the girls who survived the attack of the serial killer, said she was relieved that Rannditsheni was "sent to rot" in jail.
"I'm happy that I will no longer see him because the sight of him always brought pain in my heart," Manganyi said.
"He used to visit our neighbours for drinks and he would consume all kinds of alcohol, ranging from sorghum beer to spirits.
"We never suspected that he could be responsible for the disappearance of the children."
Thirty-two-year-old Christina Motshabi's daughter Johanna disappeared in 2006 and has never been found.
She said she was happy with the sentence, though she still wants to know where her child is.
"But I find solace in the fact that the perpetrator has been removed from society so that we can live in peace," Motshabi said.
Johanna Makhubela, 43, the grandmother of three-year-old Matshidiso, who was raped and strangled, also could not hide her excitement.
"It is the happiest day of my life," she said.