Serial rapist Granton Williams (47) was sentenced to five life terms in prison on August 5 by the Gqeberha High Court.
According to police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg, Williams’ actions started playing out from 2017 until 2021, during which five women aged between 17 and 28 years old were lured by him and raped.
She said Williams used to target women who were walking alone, and would threaten them with a toy gun before raping them in secluded spots not far from his home in Missionvale.
“During August 2022, Williams was arrested on charges relating to copper theft in Algoa Park precinct.
“After his arrest a buccal sample was taken and later his DNA was positively linked to five unresolved rape cases,” she explained.
“After this information was shared with the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit, the information was operationalised and they started with the man hunt for Williams.
After a lengthy search and activation of informers, the members successfully apprehended the suspect on August 20, 2023, at an abandoned building in Missionvale,” she added.
She further added, “In five cases, he robbed two of his victims of their cellphones and clothing.
“He remained in custody until the finalisation of the case.”
Janse Van Rensburg revealed that on Monday, August 5, Williams pleaded guilty to all 16 counts and was sentenced as follows: five life terms for five cases of rape, five years for each of four counts of kidnapping, fifteen years for each of two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, five years for each of four counts of pointing an object likely to be perceived as a firearm, and three years for one count of theft.
“All the sentences from count 1 up to count 16 will run concurrently with the sentences of life imprisonment.”
Provincial Commissioner Lt General Nomthetheleli Mene reiterated that these sentences are most certainly a victory for all the victims who have suffered such humiliating degradation at the mercy of a cruel man.
“Lengthy jail sentences such as this bring hope to all victims that justice prevails and that the cycle of violence against women and children can and must be broken.”
“The investigating officer D/WO, Thabang Shillajoe, is highly commended for ensuring that Williams never sees the outside of a prison cell for as long as he lives.
“We will continue to prioritise and intensify our efforts in protecting women, children and the vulnerable groups against gender-based violence (GBV). Women have human rights and it is our duty to ensure that these rights are not violated,” Mene concluded.
