Latest news with #ZakheleMahlangu
News24
8 hours ago
- News24
Serial rapist gets 25 more years after victim spots him in hospital
Zakhele Mahlangu tied his victim with a seatbelt, forcibly removed her clothing and raped her multiple times without protection. The case had gone cold until the victim spotted her attacker under heavy prison guard escort at a local hospital and raised the alarm. He was found guilty and sentenced to 25 years in prison for the 2016 rape. A convicted serial rapist already serving multiple sentences has been found guilty of yet another rape after one of his victims recognised him during a routine hospital visit and alerted the police. THE 2016 ATTACK On that fateful Saturday afternoon in May 2016, the victim, then 21 years old, was on her way to a hitchhiking spot along Secunda Road (R546) near Charl Cilliers in Standerton, Mpumalanga, provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane explained in a statement. According to Ndubane, at approximately 2pm, before reaching her destination, she accepted a lift from Zakhele Isaac Mahlangu (44), who was driving a white vehicle and claimed he was headed in the same direction. While en route, he diverted from the main road, claiming he needed to pick up others from a nearby farm. He turned onto a gravel road near a dumping site, crossed a railway line and stopped the vehicle. It is alleged that he moved to the passenger seat, used a hat to cover the victim's nose, and physically assaulted her. The suspect then tied her with a seatbelt, forcibly removed her clothing and raped her multiple times without protection, despite her resistance and cries for help. Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane After the attack, Mahlangu wiped himself and the victim with an old cloth, removed the vehicle's registration plates, and hid them under the driver's seat. He then threw the victim's belongings out of the vehicle and dumped her in an isolated area. The victim managed to contact emergency services and was referred to Standerton Police Station for investigation and medical examination. THE COLD CASE BREAKTHROUGH The case went cold until late last year when the victim encountered Mahlangu under heavy prison guard escort at a local hospital. She immediately recognised him and reported to the police that he was the man who had attacked her. Ndubane said: In a dramatic twist, the victim, who had not seen her attacker since the incident, recognised him years later while he was under the escort of prison wardens at a local hospital. She further explained that the police swiftly investigated the matter, and the suspect was positively linked to the crime, formally charged and brought to trial. SENTENCING On 20 June 2025, the Standerton Magistrates' Court sentenced him to 25 years' imprisonment for the 2016 rape. This sentence will run concurrently with multiple other terms he is already serving for a string of violent crimes. PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS In August 2021, the same offender was convicted and handed down multiple sentences for a series of crimes committed during his reign of terror in Standerton between 2014 and 2017. Rape Convictions: Three counts: Life imprisonment each Five counts: 15 years each One count: 25 years The acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has welcomed the conviction and the recent sentencing of the serial rapist.
IOL News
09-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Scent of a mother fuels Zakhele Mahlangu's perfume dreams
For Zakhele Mahlangu, every scent tells a story, rooted in the memories of his mother. "My mother wore different scents depending on her mood and outfit. Sometimes bold sometimes fresh and clean," he said. "That's what inspired me. That's what made me want to create something that lasts." As Mother's Day approaches, Mahlangu reflecnnnts the scent that started it all. "She would leave the house smelling so good," he said. "That triggered me. The one thing that stays on your mind is your mom's scent." The founder of Zak'cent Perfumes traces the start of his journey back to the scent of his mother, Sarah Nomasonto Mahlangu, getting ready for work. For Zakhele Mahlangu, a scent carries more than a pleasant smell — it holds memories, defines identity, and gives purpose. This memory stayed with Mahlangu as he moved from retail work in Johannesburg to developing his own perfume line, Born and raised in Vosloorus, he started working in retail in 2006, moving through casual jobs and boutiques. It was there that he began observing how people express confidence and presence, something that went beyond clothing. "Clothing is there, but you need to spice it up with perfume to have a signature that describes you," he said. Though he had been thinking about creating a perfume as early as 2015, it was only until 2022 that he found the right formula and officially started his business. "I make the perfume myself, Mahlangu says. "I source the ingredients from South Africa and all over the world and I do the mixing myself." Developing each scent takes time - trial, error and testing with friends and family to make sure it doesnt irritate the skin and last through the day. Zak'scent currently sells through an online store and in partnership with Amkipkip, a local casualwear brand. All perfumes are unisex and identified by numbers, something Mahlangu says makes it easier for customers to find what resonates. "Numbers are universal. It is better for the client to remember which number makes them feel good." The journey has not been easy. It's not easy to start a business by yourself, but it's part of learning,"Mahlangu said. He is self taught, drawing from his retails contacts, books, videos and advice from experienced perfumers. "You have to balance the artistry and the business. It's a difficult one, but I enjoy the challenge." Perfume, for him, is tied closely to memory, emotion, and identity. "People love to smell good. It triggers memory and boosts confidence," he said. "It can even change your mood." He hopes to grow the brand, collaborate with others in the industry, and eventually create jobs. "The biggest goal is to employ people, make them feel good about themselves while working for something big," Mahlangu said. "And to make a better world - though scent."
