The East London High Court has given serial rapist Phumzile Luzi three life sentences for raping four women over period of 18 months.
He will effectively serve one life sentence because the judge ordered them to run concurrently. One of the women he raped was a Walter Sisulu University student the night before her graduation.
Luzi allegedly posed as a taxi driver to pick up his victims, all of whom were in their early 20s.
He had initially pleaded not guilty to four counts of rape and three counts of robbery with aggravated circumstances, despite the court earlier being told that DNA evidence linked him to the crimes.
The women all had similar stories of how Luzi picked them up, pretending to be a taxi driver giving them lifts, and then drove them to secluded places, raping them and leaving them stranded.
In mitigation of sentence, Luzi then admitted to everything. “I am apologising to them, apologising to their families and also my family. And my heart is sore when I am thinking about the complainants,” he said.
Prosecuting state advocate Sharon Hendricks said Luzi had wasted the court’s time because he had maintained his innocence throughout the trial. He only came clean after he was found guilty.
Luzi said it was “stupidity” on his part. He added that he was remorseful and disappointed.
BREAKING: Serial rapist gets three life sentences
He will effectively serve one life sentence because the judge ordered them to run concurrently. One of the women he raped was a Walter Sisulu University student the night before her graduation.
Luzi allegedly posed as a taxi driver to pick up his victims, all of whom were in their early 20s.
He had initially pleaded not guilty to four counts of rape and three counts of robbery with aggravated circumstances, despite the court earlier being told that DNA evidence linked him to the crimes.
The women all had similar stories of how Luzi picked them up, pretending to be a taxi driver giving them lifts, and then drove them to secluded places, raping them and leaving them stranded.
In mitigation of sentence, Luzi then admitted to everything. “I am apologising to them, apologising to their families and also my family. And my heart is sore when I am thinking about the complainants,” he said.
Prosecuting state advocate Sharon Hendricks said Luzi had wasted the court’s time because he had maintained his innocence throughout the trial. He only came clean after he was found guilty.
Luzi said it was “stupidity” on his part. He added that he was remorseful and disappointed.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos