Self-proclaimed Prophet Gets Two Life Sentences For Raping Minors
For the rape of two young girls, ages 14 and 15, the Soshanguve Magistrate’s Court has sentenced self-proclaimed prophet Delani Erick Zwane to two life sentences.
The two friends were raped when they went to see Zwane on various dates in 2018, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
Zwane is said to have given them a drink that made them dizzy. He then told them to undress so that they could “steam.” After that, he raped them and threatened to kill them with “muti” if they told anybody about it.
In February 2019, the mother of one of the girls went to see another prophet, who told her that Zwane had raped her daughter. The mother approached her daughter, who acknowledged to the ordeal and told her about her friend.
In an attempt to confront Zwane, the victims’ parents went to his home. He was on the run for six months after watching community members assemble in his yard from a distance. On September 25, 2019, he returned and gave himself over to the police, where he was detained and held in custody.
Zwane was initially charged with three charges of rape, but was acquitted on one count, the rape of an 18-year-old lady, according to NPA regional spokeswoman Lumka Mahanjana. All of the victims, according to Mahanjana, were from the same Soshanguve neighborhood as Zwane.
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State prosecutor Sifiso Hlongwane said that “there can be no greater crime than depriving a child of her innocence, especially a vulnerable child” in seeking for a harsh sentence.He also reminded the court that, according to one of the victim impact statements, one of the was a virgin at the time of the crimes.
The NPA, according to Mahanjana, applauded the life sentences for both offences and vowed to continue battling GBV. “We truly appreciate the work of the investigating team of the SAPS that investigated this matter,” she said.
