Judge: 'Sunday Rapist' can't be rehabilitated

2012-09-19 17:25

Jaco Steyn. (Sapa)

Johannesburg - The "Sunday Rapist" was handed five life sentences and an additional 170 years by the South Gauteng High Court sitting in Alberton on Wednesday

Jaco Steyn was found guilty of 33 out of 37 charges which range from murder, culpable homicide, rape, sexual assault, kidnapping and attempted kidnapping.

Judge Sita Kolbe said with all the evidence given, she did not believe he could be rehabilitated.

"The community should be protected from you... There's been no justification for your conduct," she said.

"Every mother in this country must have listened to this incident and been worried that this doesn't happen to their child."

Kolbe was disheartened at knowing that Steyn's victims, who were mainly children, would never have normal lives.

"Two girls lost their lives. Those who did not have lost their proper lives," she said.

The mother of Lazanne Farmer broke down in court after the sentences were read.

"I'm happy he got those sentences but that will never bring back my child," she said with tears streaming down her face.

Farmer jumped out of Steyn's vehicle shortly after he kidnapped her in 2010.

She hit the tarred road, sustained critical injuries and died.

After sentencing proceedings, Steyn agreed to spend a few minutes speaking to the media without the families of his victim present.

He was asked whether he targeted certain types of women.

"I don't have a particular type of girl," he responded.

He was also asked why he chose to burn Louise de Waal's body after kidnapping her.

"I can't say it was impulsive... I decided to burn her when I couldn't decide what to do with her body," he said.

When he was asked for further comment, he said: "Buy the book. It will all be in the book."

The court was earlier told that Steyn had begun writing a book on his life since he was in prison.

One witness said he believed he would be rich after the book was published.

He told reporters that he had never been molested in his childhood.

"I don't remember being molested... I even went to a hypnotist to try and remember something," he said.

He was asked about whether he wanted to apologise to his victims and whether he had any remorse.

"Nobody was there when I spent nights in my cell, crying and begging for God's forgiveness... I know God will forgive me," he said as he broke down and cried.

He had a brown Afrikaans bible with him.

He was asked why he chose to kill De Waal since he had never killed any of his other victims.

"I'm not sure why I killed her... It's a long story..."

Asked whether she put up a fight he said, "not much... not much..." Steyn was then whisked away by police officers.

He had earlier requested an exclusive interview with a reporter from the Beeld newspaper. The reporter followed him out of court.

Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority has welcomed Steyn's conviction.

"We believe that justice has been served. With less people like Steyn on the streets, our kids are safer," said NPA spokesperson Phindi Louw.

- SAPA