Self-proclaimed prophet gets 45 years behind bars for raping teenagers

The Phuthaditjhaba Regional Court in Phuthaditjhaba, Free State has sentenced a self-proclaimed prophet to two terms of life imprisonment after he was found guilty on counts of rape.

A rapist masquerading as a Prophet, Dingaan Abram Rantsho also known as ‘China‘ will serve his sentence indefinitely following the handed court judgement today, Aprill 11, ruled by the sitting judge.

According to police spokesperson Mahlomola Kareli, the 40-year-old false prophet who preyed on young girls was nabbed on two counts of rape and attempted rape in the wake of his arrest after he was seen at Tseki Court by one of the investigators three days after the attempted rape was reported.

“His kidnapping and rape spree began back in August 2021 at around 12:00 when an 18-year-old victim was walking to the shops in Phuthaditjhaba.

“A male approached the victim and introduced himself as “China” out of the blue he began making false prophecies about her life, something many people finds very fascinating,” detailed Kareli.

“He then went further telling the victim that the company he works for was looking for potential employees and that the Director of that company was in town at that moment,” added Kareli.

Sadly, South Africa’s unemployment rate is high and many people fall victim to such traps. After being lured to the suspect’s house in Monotsha, he instructed the victim to undress, and then raped her at knifepoint.

It is reported that he later released the victim and gave her money so she could catch a taxi home.

Kareli reiterates that the perpetrator continued with his wicked ways and went for his second target.

“The fake prophet continued again on 7 June 2022 at about 13:30. While at Maluti Crescent Mall, the 15-year-old victim met with a male who introduced himself as “China”.

“The suspect started again with his prophecy about the little girl and lured her to his house, saying he uses a mirror to look into his patients’ lives and the mirror is at home.

“They both took a taxi to Monontsha and upon their arrival, he took out a “panga” from the other room and instructed the 15-year-old to undress. He continued to force himself on the victim, threatening her with the panga, raping her and eventually released her,” said Kareli.

He additionally mentioned that while a 19-year-old lass was making her way to the mall on 3 September 2023, she came across a man who told her that his boss was in Monotsha and was seeking new staff members.

“Upon their arrival, the suspect pretended to talk to someone in the house, he then instructed her to enter the house and hand over her CV. He went to another room and came out holding a knife and ordered the victim to undress. The girl acted swiftly and ran for her life. She managed to escape half-naked and sought help from a passing taxi driver who took her to the Tseki police station” Kareli said.

Rape is endemic in South Africa, different women and girls suffer from it on a daily basis in the hands of their loved ones, strangers and even their pastors.

Last week Police Minister Bheki Cele announced during a briefing that between April 2023 to date 8 563 suspected rapists were apprehended.