Callous killer rapist gets three life terms
SERIAL rapist Odwa Nkololo was sentenced to three life terms at the Western Cape High Court yesterday for raping two minors and killing one of them.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and police have welcomed the sentence.
Nkololo, 30, raped a child that was very close to him while her mother had left the child in his care. Just more than a month later, he raped and killed four-year-old Iyapha Yamile, who disappeared from her aunt’s home in Town Two in Khayelitsha the previous evening.
Nkololo, who had wrapped Iyapha’s body in a refuse bag after killing her, dumped her body in an open field two streets away from her home.
Nkololo, who has been in custody since his arrest on July 11 last year, did not testify in mitigation of sentencing. His legal representative, Susanna Kunn, relayed to Acting Judge Diane Davis Nkololo’s personal circumstances on his behalf.
“Rape is always an appalling act, but the rape of a child under 16 years of age is viewed in a particularly serious light because children are vulnerable and ill-equipped to protect themselves against sexual predators,” Judge Davis said.
Referring to Iyapha, the judge said: “She would undoubtedly have suffered great fear and pain before she died. Her body was callously dumped in a garbage bag and left in the street for her loved ones to find.”
With regard to Nkololo raping the child who was close to him, Judge Davis said the victim should have been able to count on him to protect her.
“He grossly abused a position of trust by taking advantage” of the victim.
She added that Nkololo had shown no remorse for his crimes and had not taken responsibility for his deeds. “It is clear that he feels sorry for himself because of the predicament in which he finds himself, but he does not appear to spare a thought for the family of Iyapha Yamile, who has to bear the ongoing burden of grief and loss.
“To my mind he poses a clear danger to children and he needs to be removed from the community in the interest of safety. The children of our land should be able to play outside in safety. Parents should not live in fear that their children will fall victim to sexual predators roaming the streets,” said Judge Davies.
Provincial Police Commissioner
‘He shows no remorse and hasn’t taken responsibility for his actions’
Khombinkosi Jula praised detectives on the case for securing a conviction and vowed police would intensify efforts to eradicate violence against women and children.
NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the success in this case showed the importance of co-operation between communities, police and the prosecution in solving crimes.