Rapists win appeal against robbery, housebreaking sentences

THE Western Cape High Court has granted two rapists an appeal against their sentences for robbery with aggravating circumstances and had their sentences for these crimes discounted.

- CHEVON BOOYSEN

They will, however, remain behind bars as they continue serving life sentences for the rapes of their victim.

The two were co-accused in a trial matter before the Wynberg Regional Court where they faced charges of robbery with aggravated circumstances, compelling or causing children to witness sexual offences, housebreaking, and rape.

During court proceedings and before trial, they pleaded not guilty to all the charges and offered no plea explanations.

The two men were arrested in 2021 after they broke into the homes of two women in the Marikana informal settle-ment, in Philippi East.

The woman was inside her shack with her children when the men looted their house and then sexually assaulted the mother. The children were there to witness the horrible act.