Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Associated Press - Thursday, December 13, 2007
The judge said he was frustrated that he couldn't impose a harsher punishment on the country's worst serial rapist, 39 year-old Mongezi Jinxela. South Africa has banned the death penalty.
Judge George Maluleke imposed 55 life sentences and 1,092 years in prison for the 164 other offenses.
"But because you have one life, all the sentences will run concurrently and on top of the life sentence, you get a 20-year-sentence," Maluleke said, according to the South African Press Association.
Maluleke said he recommended that Jinxela never receive parole as he would never be rehabilitated.
The father-of-two claimed that all the women -- mostly young university students -- were his girlfriends and never showed remorse for a 10-year spree which ended with his arrest in 2004. There were harrowing scenes during the trial at Johannesburg's High Court as tearful victims testified.
It was unclear how many of the women contracted the AIDS virus as a result of being raped by Jinxela.
South Africa has the world's highest reported rates of rape. In 2004, there were 114 reported rapes per 100,000 people, compared to a rate of 32 rapes per 100,000 in the United States.
071213
AP071236
Copyright © 2007 - Associated Press. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the AP Permissions Desk.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2007. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2007. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .