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The Mpumalanga High Court in Mbombela has sentenced a 39-year-old man to life imprisonment for multiple rapes.
Gilbert Fankomo a resident of Numbi Trust in Masoyi was convicted on four counts of rape involving underage victims, including an 8-year-old girl.
Provincial police spokesperson Donald Mdhluli says Fankomo committed the offences between April 2009 and March 2022 before being arrested in June 2023.
“Cases were opened and assigned to members from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit. The investigation led to his arrest. He was convicted, hence sentenced for four counts of rape. He received the life sentences.
“The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi appreciated the efforts made by the Investigation team, the Prosecution team, as well as the Judiciary,” Mdhluli says.
#sapsMP The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the #SAPS in Mpumalanga, Maj Gen (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi welcomes the harsh sentencing meted out against a serial rapist, Gilbert Sibusiso Fankomo (39), a resident of Numbi Trust in Masoyi. Fankomo has been sentenced to 4 LIFE terms… pic.twitter.com/2qUxOxudOO
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) April 24, 2025
