Vanderbijlpark serial rapist convicted | Vaalweekblad

VANDERBIJLPARK. – The Palmridge High Court on Monday, June 3, 2024, sentenced the man dubbed the “Vanderbijlpark Cemetery Serial Rapist” to two life sentences and 66 years in prison.
The court found Moremi Christopher Happy Rafutho (50) guilty of eight counts of rape and two counts of robbery.
Rafutho caused a stir in January 2023 when news broke that a serial rapist was targeting victims at Vanderbijlpark Cemetery.
A few weeks later, he was arrested on various charges, including rape, intimidation, home invasion and displaying a firearm.
His arrest followed the alleged rape of a minor in Sharpeville.
The crimes, committed between March 2022 and January 2023, targeted several women aged 13, 23, 33, 80 and 44.
Rafutho attacked his victims at night while they slept. He also attacked them when they visited Vanderbilt Park Cemetery to pay their respects, assaulting them on gravestones and raping them.
The investigation led by Sergeant George Motloung of the Sebokeng FCS led to the arrest of Rafutho with the assistance of Constables Gatebe, Xaba, Moloi, Sepheka and Khaule of the Vehicle Identification Service in Sedibeng.
Rafutho was linked to the crimes through DNA, fingerprints and cell phone records.
District Commissioner Major General Khensani Lemba commended the investigation team, the prosecution and the judiciary for their hard work in securing the gender-based violence verdict. She praised their tireless commitment to justice and the meticulous efforts they made in handling such a critical case.
“We hope that the verdict will have a deterrent effect on those who commit heinous crimes against vulnerable groups,” Lemba concluded.