Pretoria - Government has welcomed the Johannesburg High Court ruling which found a Gauteng taxi driver guilty of robbery, assault, and rape of 14 women in 2010.
Acting Judge Naren Pandya sentenced Vuledzani Ramulifho to three life terms and 30 years in prison.
Ramulifho allegedly lured women into his taxi in Roodepoort, west of Johannesburg, by pretending he would take them home.
He then pepper-sprayed their faces, robbed them, and sexually assaulted or raped them.
Acting GCIS CEO, Phumla Williams, said: “We commend the judicial system and Judge Naren Pandya for his tireless effort and commitment to this case. The ruling in this case is a lesson to other perpetrators who commit crimes against children and women in particular, and sends a stringent message that criminal activities are not tolerated in this country, and law will always take its course.”
Williams said the scourge of women abuse and gender violence will never be allowed to define “who we are and what we stand for” as a country.
The South African Police Service and the existing courts were empowered under the Domestic Violence Act, Sexual Offences Act and Children’s Act to arrest, prosecute and convict perpetrators of violence against women and children.
“As a society we can and must do more in defence of women and children, as this will define us as a society,” said Williams.
Government commended law enforcement agencies on their role in ensuring that the law takes its course. The criminal justice system would continue with its fight against crime.
“Government calls upon communities and the entire society take their rightful positions to fight against crime.” – SAnews.gov.za
