Judge Sentences Rapist To 252 Years In Prison.

Tears rolled down his face the minute he was
locked up in the police cells. This time he
knew it was for life.
No more would Shepherd Moyo be
allowed to terrorise northern Joburg
residents. On Wednesday, the Lonehill
and Paulshof robber and rapist was sentenced by
the Johannesburg High Court to multiple life
terms.
Investigating officer Tony Rakoma had a
triumphant smile on his face. His job was finally
done. None of the witnesses who testified came to
court for the sentencing, but Rakoma had sent
them text messages about the verdict.
"They were all so happy and relieved. They finally
got their closure and can now move on with their
lives. It was a job well done," he said.
Moyo, who was nicknamed "Axeman", would rob
his victims in the early hours - usually between
2am and 4am. After ransacking their houses, he
would have some water and would either lock the
occupants in their bathrooms or bedrooms.
In some instances, he would rape the victims. Most
of the items he would take from the homes were
valued at thousands of rand. His crime spree dates
back to 2004, with incidents also in 2008, 2010 and
2011.
"The worst in my view is that he attacked and raped
the victims in the sanctity of their own homes
where they thought they were safe," said Judge
Mathilda Masipa in sentencing him.
She was especially aggrieved by the fact that Moyo
would not only force himself on them, but would
also strip them of their dignity and ensure the rapes
were not traced back to him.
In one of the rapes, he used a condom and flushed
it down the toilet. In another, he ejaculated on the
carpet and wiped himself with a towel, which he got
rid of.
Judge Masipa said his three rape victims never
recovered from the trauma and became emotional
wrecks. She firmly believed all the offences were
carefully planned and executed. The judge said it
was inconceivable that someone who was working
alone would pick the victims out at random, and
she was convinced he had studied the potential
victims.
Moyo would always take his time during the
robberies and never hurry, as if he knew no one
would come to the rescue of the victims.
"His brazen conduct sent a chilly message to
residents that no degree of security would deter
criminals," said Judge Masipa.
The 63-year-old man he repeatedly stabbed during a
robbery now lives as a prisoner in his own home.
"What weighs with me very heavily is that the
accused showed no remorse, therefore it is difficult
to imagine he can be rehabilitated."
The judge said it was clear from the evidence that
Moyo was a detriment to society.
Last week, she found him guilty on 11 counts of
housebreaking and robbery, three of rape and one
of attempted murder. Six robbery charges were
withdrawn as witnesses could not be traced. On
Wednesday, Moyo got 15 years for each of the 11
counts of robbery, 12 years for attempted murder,
and life sentences for all three rape charges - a total
of 252 years.
The attempted murder and robbery sentences will
run concurrently with the three life sentences. "The
effective sentence therefore is life imprisonment,"
the judge said.