David RANDITSHENI
Classification: Serial killer
Characteristics: Kidnappings - Serial rapist (17)
Number of victims: 10
Date of murders: 2004 - 2008
Date of arrest: May 16, 2008
Date of birth: 1964
Victims profile: Only one of his victims was an adult (a woman), the rest were all children
Method of murder: ???
Location: Modimolle, Limpopo province, South Africa
Status: Sentenced to 16 life sentences and 220 years in prison in August 2009. Found hanging in his prison cell from an apparent suicide on August 30, 2009
David Randitsheni (born 1964/5) is a South African rapist and serial killer who in 2009 was convicted on 10 counts of murder, 17 counts of rape and 18 counts of kidnapping and one count of indecent assault.
He was sentenced to 16 life sentences and 220 years in prison with the judge stipulating that he could not be considered for parole before serving at least 35 years in prison by which time he will be 80 years old.
Only one of his victims was an adult (a woman), the rest were all children.
The crimes were committed over a four year period from 2004 to 2008 around the town of Modimolle in the Limpopo province.
Randitsheni was found hanging in his prison cell from an apparent suicide shortly after commencing his sentence.
Serial killer found hanging by a sheet
Iol.co.za
August 31, 2009
Recently convicted Modimolle serial killer David Randitsheni, 45, has committed suicide, said Limpopo police on Monday.
Captain Mashudu Malelo said Randitsheni was found hanging by a sheet from a window frame in the Thohoyandou prison on Sunday.
An inquest docket was opened.
Randitsheni was serving 16 life sentences and 220 years after he was sentenced in the Modimolle Circuit Court three weeks ago.
Randitsheni was convicted on 10 counts of murder, 17 counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and 18 counts of kidnapping.
He had raped and killed a number of children and one adult in the Modimolle area between 2004 and 2008.
He was arrested on May 16, 2008 after an intensive police investigation during which over 550 DNA samples were tested before a police forensic expert identified the suspect.
16x life for serial child killer
News24.com
August 18, 2009
Johannesburg - A 45-year-old serial child rapist and murderer was sentenced to multiple life terms by the Modimolle Circuit Court in Limpopo on Tuesday, national police said.
"David Randitsheni was sentenced to 16 life sentences plus 220 years imprisonment for a series of murders, rapes and kidnappings he committed between 2004 and 2008," Director Sally de Beer said.
Randitsheni was convicted on 10 counts of murder, 17 counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and 18 counts of kidnapping.
"There was only one count of rape for an adult female," De Beer said.
He was arrested on May 16 2008 after an intensive police investigation during which over 550 DNA samples were tested before a police forensic expert identified the suspect.
"All 19 victims were kidnapped and raped and 10 were murdered in a crime spree which devastated the community of Modimolle," she said.
Judge Roger Claassen, in handing down the sentence, stipulated that Randitsheni could not be considered for parole for the next 35 years.
By that time, he would be 80-years-old.
The SABC reported that in delivering judgement, Claassen said the crimes were committed in a horrific manner, and as Randitsheni made admissions but chose to remain silent, showed that he had no reasons to prove his innocence.
Claassen said the State had proven beyond a reasonable doubt he committed the offences.
