Rapist jailed for 30 years

Mbombela - A man was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment by the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court on Thursday for raping three women at gunpoint in two days.

James Lamola, 32, from Mozambique was sentenced by Magistrate Andre Geldenhuys for raping two women on 17 June 2007 and another woman the following day, a Sapa correspondent reported.

He targeted women who were returning home to Matsulu after working in nearby Mbombela.

Geldenhuys said he had no doubt that Lamola was a danger to the community.

"No woman will be safe and it is dangerous to say you can go home because you will go back and do the same thing," he said.

Lamola's two co-accused, Frank Novela, 34, and Chillies Malandule, 38, were acquitted.