The Cape Town High Court handed down six life sentences to convicted serial rapist Lungile Buhlungu on Wednesday, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The 40-year-old, who orchestrated a string of horrific assaults between 2014 and 2018, was held accountable for the violation and robbery of six women, ages 21 to 31, across the Delft and Mfuleni areas.
Buhlungu’s predatory behaviour came to light during a series of chilling incidents where he lured unsuspecting victims under the pretence of offering them rides home from local taverns. Once isolated, Buhlungu brandished a firearm, ruthlessly threatening his victims before robbing and raping them at gunpoint.
The investigation into Buhlungu’s crimes began after his arrest in November 2020 on unrelated charges, including rape, kidnapping, and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. Initial enquiries were thorough, and his arrest paved the way for investigators to connect him to the six heinous acts through DNA evidence obtained from buccal swabs.
During the trial, testimonies from key witnesses played a pivotal role. Lieutenant Colonel Elmarie Myburg, part of the SAPS Head Office’s Psychology Services, and Detective Sergeant Nomabandla Jokazi from the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS:SECI) stood firm against the accused’s defence during cross-examination, ensuring that the courtroom echoed the voices of the survivors.
On Wednesday, 18 June 2025, the court’s final judgement included six life sentences for the rape counts, with additional penalties for other charges: four five-year sentences for kidnapping, five years for possession of a firearm, fifteen years for aggravated robbery, and two counts of assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, each carrying a five-year term. All sentences are to run concurrently, sealing Buhlungu’s fate and declaring him unfit to possess a firearm.
In remarks following the verdict, Lieutenant General Tembisile Patekile emphasised the significance of the sentencing as a beacon of justice for victims of sexual violence.
‘These lengthy jail sentences not only reflect the severity of his crimes but also serve as a message of hope for all victims that the cycle of violence can and must be broken,’ he stated.
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Picture: Supplied
