Cape Town — The Johannesburg High Court sentenced Bolt driver, Emmanuel Madau, to two life terms and an additional 60 years after he was found guilty of raping and kidnapping his passengers.
Mudau was charged with four counts of rape, four of kidnapping and two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the decison delivered by the High Court, IOL reported.
“As we reflect on this outcome, our thoughts are with the complainants and their families. They suffered immeasurable pain, and the memory of this ordeal will remain irked in their minds for a lifetime. We, however, hope that they find solace in that the perpetrator has been removed from society,” said Mjonondwane.
Mjonondwane said that, between January and February 2022, Mudau had targeted women who travelled from Cosmo City to various destinations using Bolt. For complainants said as soon as they entered the vehicle, he refused to take them to their destination and would driver to secluded areas to undress and rape them.
The Johannesburg High Court has sentenced a 30-year-old e-hailing driver to two life terms, plus 60 years, for rape and kidnapping. #Bolt driver #EmmanuelMudau targeted women who requested rides from Cosmo City early in 2022. KH #KayaNews pic.twitter.com/3gtFf2PqzC
— Kaya 959 News (@KayaNews) March 16, 2024
In two separate incidents, the besieged women tried to run away. In one instance the fleeing woman was stabbed, and in the second incident the NPA said the woman was strangled, forcing her agree to Mudau’s demands.
One of the raped woman claimed she still lives with the trauma every day and that it would carry her for the rest of her life, saying she could not sleep for months after, according to SowetanLive.
“After this incident happened to me, I couldn’t sleep at night for a few months.” she said. She also said Mudau had given her something to drink and applied a “red vaseline” like substance on himself before raping her. This caused medical complications for her which required hospital treatment.
According to state advocate, Colleen Ryan, arguing in aggravation of sentence, said he taunted his victims while they testified. That he invoked God in his message to the victims infuriated her, saying it made him look like a “false prophet”.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
