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Media Statement
South African Police Service
Office of the Provincial Commissioner Eastern Cape
GQEBERHA – While the Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene, welcomed the five life term imprisonment imposed on a serial rapist in the Gqeberha High Court yesterday 05 August 2024, she applauded the excellent investigation of the Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in Gqeberha for ensuring that the shameless rapist remains behind bars for the rest of his life.
Granton Williams (47) devious actions started playing out in 2017 until 2021, five females aged between 17 and 28-years-old were lured by him and raped. Williams use to focus on woman walking alone, and then threatened them with a toy gun before raping them in secluded spots not far from his home in Missionvale. During August 2022, Williams was arrested on charges relating to copper theft in Algoa Park precinct. After his arrest a buccal sample was taken and later his DNA was positively linked to five unresolved rape cases. After this information was shared with the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit, the information was operationalised and they started with the man hunt for Williams. After and lengthy search and activation of informers the members successfully apprehended the suspect on 20 August 2023 at an abandoned building in Misisonvale. .
In five cases, he robbed two of his victims of their cellphones and clothing.
He remained in custody until the finalisation of the case. On Monday, 05 August 2024 Williams pleaded guilty on all 16 counts and was sentenced as follows:
Five life term imprisonment on 5 cases of rape
4 x 5 years on each count of kidnapping
2 x 15 years of each count of robbery with aggravating circumstances
4 x 5 years imprisonment of each count of pointing of object which is likely to lead a person to believe it is a firearm
1 x 3 years imprisonment of count of theft
All the sentences from count 1 up to count 16 will run concurrently with the sentences of life imprisonment.
Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene reiterated that these sentences are most certainly a victory for all the victims who have suffered such humiliating degradation at the mercy of a cruel man. ‘ Lengthy jail sentences such as this brings hope to all victims that justice prevails and that the cycle of violence against women and children can and must be broken. The investigating officer D/WO Thabang Shillajoe is highly commended for ensuring that Granton Williams never sees the outside of a prison cell for as long as he lives. We will continue to prioritise and intensify our efforts in protecting women, children and the vulnerable groups against gender based violence(GBV). Women have human rights and it is our duty to ensure that these rights are not violated,’ added Lt Gen Mene.
Ends
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Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg
082779 7173
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