By Celani Sikhakhane
A self-proclaimed prophet and traditional healer has been sentenced to five life sentences for raping young girls.
Mthokozisi Cyril Mdlalose, 37, from Mondlo near Vryheid, was sentenced by the Nquthu Magistrates’ Court.
He attracted young girls to his home by promising to cleanse them of bad luck.
Mdlalose’s raping spree began in October 2020 when he convinced an 18-year-old that she was bewitched and in danger.
He told her to come to his home so he could reverse the curse. The victim’s mother believed his story and allowed her to go.
He told the girl to lie on her back and applied a cream to her body before raping her. He instructed the victim not to tell anyone and raped her again 11 days later.
Mdlalose used the same promise to lure another victim, a 15-year-old, to his house, where he raped her several times in February 2022.
In August of that year, Mdlalose pretended to be a traditional healer and convinced a mother to bring her 18-year-old daughter to him for cleansing.
Mdlalose took the victim to a river and applied his muthi to her head and ears, causing her to become unconscious. When she woke up, she realised she had been raped.
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said the investigating officer was able to link Mdlalose to the rapes of the three young women.
“Sentences like this encourage our investigators to put more effort into their work, knowing that the court will remove those who abuse women from society for good,” he said.
Mdlalose’s name will be added to the national register for sex offenders.
Pictured above: The Nquthu Magistrate’s Court.
Source:X
