Durban-Based False Prophet Receives Life Sentences for Multiple Rapes

In a chilling adjudication that reinforces the clout of the South African judicial system, Mthokozisi Cyril Mdlalose, a 37-year-old man who claimed to be a prophet and traditional healer, was condemned to a cumulative sentence exceeding a century behind bars. The Nquthu Regional Court, after assiduous trials and irrefutable evidence presented by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit detective, found Mdlalose guilty of three heinous cases of rape.

The pretense Mdlalose orchestrated involved ghastly deceits as a prophet. His front was to prophesize doom to vulnerable girls, convincing them of curses that only he possessed the powers to expel. He raped an 18-year-old after deceiving her about a bewitchment and asserting that her life was precariously close to its end. The deceitful spiritual guidance progressed to a point beyond moral bankruptcy, as he exploited her faith and raped her under the guise of performing ritualistic acts.

The serial rapes began in October 2020, with Mdlalose's manipulation preying upon not only the victims but also their believing families. For instance, a 15-year-old girl was ravaged several times in early 2022 after Mdlalose pulled her into his trap with similar phony prophecies. Yet another young woman fell victim in August 2022 when her mother sought spiritual cleansing for her; she was left unconscious and violated after an empty promise of purification.

The sentencing comes at a time when South Africa reflects on the contributions of women, serving as a searing reminder of the vigilance needed against those who exploit trust and perpetrate gender-based violence. Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi hailed the exceptional investigative work leading up to the arrest and the court's decisive sentencing, emphasizing the country's resolve to remove such offenders from society.

Further cementing the gravity of his actions, Mdlalose will no longer be able to legally possess a firearm, and his name is to be immortalized in infamy on the National Register for Sex Offenders. The sentencing of Mdlalose represents a victory for the victims and a clear message to would-be offenders: exploitation and violence will meet with the most stringent of consequences.