PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS FLASH - Child murderer and rapist Lulama Candani was sentenced to more than 20 years behind bars in the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday, November 3.
Candani, who raped and brutally killed eight-year-old Sesona Bhayibhile in December last year, pleaded guilty to both charges against him and entered into a plea bargain which saw him being handed down a 21 year prison sentence by Judge President John Hlope who presided over the matter.
Little Sesona went missing on Sunday, December 7, after playing with friends near Candani’s home.
After extensive search operations over the following two days, Candani was also reported missing by his family. He however later handed himself over to police in Knysna on December 9 and pointed out where the body was hidden, in dense bushes near the child’s home.
He was subsequently arrested.
Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA) and the community are relieved that justice has prevailed and a child killer will be locked up.
“However, for a crime such as this, we feel that child killers should get a life sentence. In particular for this gruesome rape and murder of Sesona Bhayibhile”, says Joanne Barrett, WMACA Cape Spokesperson, but she also said, “the family who have suffered so much emotional trauma and the loss of their child, can now find closure and continue with their lives after this brutal death was suffered by their innocent daughter at the hands of a monster.”
“However, for a crime such as this, we feel that child killers should get a life sentence. In particular for this gruesome rape and murder of Sesona Bhayibhile”, says Joanne Barrett, WMACA Cape Spokesperson, but she also said, “the family who have suffered so much emotional trauma and the loss of their child, can now find closure and continue with their lives after this brutal death was suffered by their innocent daughter at the hands of a monster.”
Barrett said WMACA extended their appreciation and applauded detective John Nomdoe for his complete dedication, continuous hard work and commitment at ensuring this case was prioritised.
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Read more in Thursday's Knysna-Plett Herald, and online.
ARTICLE: YOLANDE STANDER, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD - CORRESPONDENT
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