Missionary rapists convicted
2008-01-24 19:41
Pietermaritzurg- Three young Port Shepstone men were on Thursday each convicted of six rapes involving two Mormon missionary sisters who were working in the area in June 2006.
Each was convicted of four rapes of one of the missionaries, the court finding that each was guilty of the rape perpetrated by other members of the gang.
Judge Gregory Kruger and assessors found in the Pietermaritzburg High Court that each of the perpetrators assisted the others in the rape of the missionary and prevented her escape and resistance.
Each was also accused of two rapes of another missionary sister who was shot and was unconscious when she was raped.
They were also convicted of the aggravated robbery of the missionaries, stealing their possessions when they were attacked.
Those convicted are Siyabonga Nzimande, 21, Wonderboy Mthembu, 19 and Bongani Ntombela, 24.
They were also convicted of robbing five men in aggravated circumstances.
The missionary sisters were temporarily working in the Port Shepstone area and were walking home when the gang pounced on them.
The attackers demanded money and cellphones from the missionaries at gunpoint. They then forced the missionaries into a nearby bush and robbed and raped them.
- SAPA