A convicted rapist already serving a 15-year sentence has been handed an additional 15 years behind bars after being found guilty of sodomizing his cellmate in an overnight assault at Khami Maximum Prison.

Thabani Mhlanga, 22, from Esigodini, was sentenced by Western Commonage regional magistrate Sibongile Marondedze after being convicted of indecent assault.

This new sentence brings Mhlanga’s total incarceration to 30 years.
The court heard that the brutal attack occurred inside a shared cell.
The 24-year-old victim testified that he awoke to discover Mhlanga assaulting him.

Following the assault, Mhlanga reportedly attempted to bribe the victim with a blanket to keep him warm at night and later pretended memory loss when the case went to court.

The cell leader, Charm Kunene corroborated the victim’s account, stating he was alerted by the complainant and found Mhlanga silent with a blanket pulled over his head. Kunene also observed semen on the victim’s hands and on Mhlanga’s blankets.

He further testified that Mhlanga begged for forgiveness and offered a blanket as compensation, which was refused.

The incident was reported to prison guards the following morning, leading to a police investigation.
Investigating officer Milos Nyamubachoto confirmed that the two inmates shared a sleeping space and a medical examination on the victim revealed bruises and clear signs of forced penetration.

Mhlanga was convicted and received the additional 15-year sentence.

Source – Herald