The Botshabelo Regional Court has sentenced a rape convict, who used Facebook to lure women with fake job offers to rape and rob them of their valuables, to two life terms and an additional 18 years. The court sentenced Sibusiso Mbuli (27) to double life sentences for raping two victims and an additional 18 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances on Friday 8 May.

WO Martin Xuma, provincial spokesperson for the Free State police, said the two victims, aged between 21 and 22 at the time, were reportedly raped and robbed in July and September 2023. He said the conviction and sentencing resulted from an investigation by the Selosesha Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS), adding that the accused Mbuli was remanded in custody until sentencing. “The accused was denied bail,” he said.

Xuma said an investigation by Detective Sergeant Kamogelo Kwatala found that the accused used the same modus operandi on Facebook in the rape and robbery of both victims. Additional evidence that positively linked the accused included DNA samples.

“One of the victims managed to positively identify Mbuli, who lured female victims through social media platform, promising them employment. They fell prey to the accused, who lured them to a local filling station near Botshabelo under the false pretence of offering them employment. The accused raped and robbed them of their cell phones, including cash,” said Xuma. He said members of the Selosesha FCS and other police officers traced Mbuli to his residence in Botshabelo in October 2023.