Killer raped 2 girls in 4 days

2008-02-29 20:41

Grahamstown - An 18-year-old youth was found guilty of murder and rape by the Grahamstown High Court on Friday.

Judge Cecil Somyalo found that Lunga Tata, of Tyoksville, Bathurst, was guilty of raping a 14-year-old mentally-ill girl on May 31, last year, and of raping and killing a 10-year-old girl four days later on June 3 2007.

Sentencing was postponed to March 25 for a pre-sentencing report from a social worker.

Dealing with the rape of the mentally-ill girl, Somyalo said it was common cause that the girl was mentally retarded, with an IQ range of between 35 and 55.

"She had an extremely limited, if any intellectual capacity, and was completely incapable of consenting to sexual intercourse," said Somyalo.

Turning to the rape and murder of the 10-year-old girl, he said the State's evidence against the accused "was conclusive and overwhelming".

The girl's body was found on the commonage near the township on June 4, with her throat cut. Medical evidence indicated that she had bled to death.

"The DNA expert testified that the accused's semen was found on both the girl's underwear, and the deceased girl's blood was found on his trousers."

Somyalo said the 15-year-old boy that Tata claimed had also raped the girl and actually killed her, "was not only a good witness, but an outstanding one".

"As far as the accused is concerned, his version of events were not only improbable, but were outright lies. And, what is even more damning, is the fact that he tried to implicate a totally innocent boy in these crimes, for which he alone was responsible."

- SAPA