"Devil" Child Rapist Gets 83 Years

A CONVICTED KwaDukuza serial rapist, who attacked girls between the ages of seven and 10, will probably never see the light of day again after he was sentenced to 83 years’ imprisonment.

On Friday, Eric Tembe, 27, was convicted in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on five counts of rape and one of attempted rape. He was sentenced to three life terms for the rapes and eight years for the attempted rape.

Two of the three victims had been raped twice by Tembe.

Magistrate Sally Louden described Tembe as the “devil incarnate” and said he was unfit for rehabilitation.

Louden said: “You preyed on innocent young girls and this court has no doubt that there are others out there who have been raped by you. You, sir, are a serial rapist. This court would be failing in its duty if it did not stop you in your tracks. This sentence must also deter others from such anti-social behaviour. Your sentences will not run concurrently.”

She said Tembe’s actions had made it clear that it was not safe for parents to send young girls out alone.

During the trial, it emerged that Tembe terrorised young girls in the Lindelani area, just outside KwaDukuza, between July and November 2009. He lured the girls by asking them directions to a relative’s home in the Lindelani area.

“Because of their naivety, the girls accompanied you. You (Tembe) then grabbed and raped them. All the girls were traumatised when they testified and even burst into tears during the identity parade.

“During the attempted rape, you assaulted the victim by repeatedly bashing her head on the ground. Fortunately, your attempts to rape her were thwarted by a passer-by. Unfortunately, your other victims were not so lucky.”

Louden said Tembe had brutalised the girls and threatened to kill them if they screamed.

In November 2009, he was arrested for a rape in Shakaville.

Louden praised the outstanding police work by Constable Christina Subrayalu, of the KwaDukuza Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, who linked Tembe to the Lindelani rapes. She said conclusive DNA evidence and the fact that Tembe had been positively identified by all the victims during an identity parade, had sealed his fate.

“Throughout the trial, the accused showed no remorse. This, despite conclusive DNA evidence which matched his semen in all of the cases.”

Tembe’s mother, Nomusa, was inconsolable when sentence was passed and called out for Louden to give her son a lesser sentence.

“I know what he has done is wrong. But he is my son and I love him. He is also my only child and the breadwinner at home. I do not know what we are going to do without him...”

Chapter 17

1)Why do you think Diego said that it was something wrong with Ariel for caring about him?

2) Why do you think Diego wished Vidas would stop using words like “Rape” and “abuse”?

3) What are the reasons for Diego to keep his secret and act like the abuse never happened?

4) Do you think Diego understood what his stepdad was doing to him or was he confused?

5) How do you think Mac’s double personality affected him?

6) Do you think Vidas is really concern for Diego taking his life?

Chapter 18

1.  If you were Ariel would you have called Diego first? Diego seems very unconfident in himself. Do you think Ariel can tell? 
2. Do you think that Diego always talks about fish with Ariel because it’s something they have in common or do you think he just likes to talk about them? 
3. Why does Diego seem so afraid to open up to Ariel? Is it really cause he thinks she won’t like him or because he doesn’t want anyone to find out?
4. If Ariel hadn’t said “you mean stuff he did to you? “ do you think Diego would have kept going and stayed ?
5. Do you think Ariel’s mom attitude was right? Why or Why not?
6. Can you compare what happened to Ariel with what happened to Diego? Why or why not?
7. Do you think Diego should have told Ariel everything? Why or why not?

Chapter 19

1. Did Vidas coming out about being molested too, surprise Diego or freak him out?
2. Do you think Diego was a coward?
3. Why do you think Diego was so mad at Vidas for missing there appointment?
4. Why was Diego blaming himself for Mac's death?
5. Do you think Diego would have eventually killed Mac if he hadn't killed himself?

Chapter 20

1. Do you think Diego was glad to be in juvie at first?
2. Do you think the shark he seen was real or apart of his imagination?
3. Do you think Diego is willing to learn to control his anger so that he does not go back to juvie?
4. Why is Diego so concerned about being gay?
5. Why does Vidas keep back from talking about his family?
6. Does screaming into the pillow actually help Diego ? Or is he just getting a laugh out of it?