A Durban High Court judge says notorious murderer and rapist Petros Mthethwa, will “not get the chance to be let out of prison”.
|||A Durban High Court judge handed down lengthy jail terms on Wednesday to a notorious murderer and rapist, to ensure that the man “does not get the chance to be let out of prison”.
Petros Mthethwa, 29, who was already serving a life sentence for killing an 80-year-old man during a robbery in 2007, was given two life sentences for murder and rape, respectively.
He was also jailed for 66 years, with some jail terms to run concurrently, for a string of other crimes, including armed robbery, housebreaking and attempted murder.
Mthethwa, dubbed the “Spearman” because he carried a spear during most of his attacks, was charged with raping and assaulting a Durban woman during a house robbery in April 2007.
According to the indictment, Mthethwa confronted the woman in her bedroom and demanded jewellery.
He later tied her hands with cord, raped her and then stabbed her when she tried to escape.
He was also charged with the murder of Cato Crest man Sicelo Mkhwanazi in October 2007, and a robbery at a Manor Gardens home in the same month.
In November 2007, he attempted to murder a Durban North resident, Douglas Warden, by stabbing him in the back and head with a screwdriver.
In his judgment, Judge Themba Sishi said the public should be protected from criminals like Mthethwa.
“Such people, who commit serious and prevalent crimes, should be kept away from society for a very long time,” he said. “Almost all of his victims were attacked in their homes and sustained serious injuries. These sentences should be crafted so that the accused does not get the chance to be let out of prison. He is a very dangerous criminal.”
He added that Mthethwa had shown no remorse for his actions during the trial.
“He has previous convictions, and some crimes were committed after the accused had escaped from custody. While he was committing these offences, he showed his victims no sympathy.”
Mthethwa was denied leave to appeal against the sentence.
Mkhwanazi’s sister, Rose, praised Warrant Officer Mandla Zondi, who investigated the crimes, thanking him for his efforts.
She said she was glad her brother’s killer would be behind bars for a long time. - The Mercury