Lechasa Glass: Serial rapist sentenced to indefinite imprisonment in Eastern Cape

A serial rapist who had been tormenting areas in the Eastern Cape has been sentenced to indefinite imprisonment after DNA tied him to more cases while behind bars. 

Lechasa Glass, 32, a Lesotho national, was also declared a dangerous criminal in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act. 

Glass is not a first-time offender. 

On May 24, 2024, Glass was convicted on 24 counts, including multiple rapes, robberies with aggravated circumstances, and a robbery committed against women and children in the Addo and Joubertina areas between 2015 and 2022.

His previous sentences include life imprisonment for the multiple rapes, 15 years imprisonment for several counts of robbery with aggravated circumstances, 10 years imprisonment for multiple rapes, and five years imprisonment for robbery

In total, Glass was already serving six life sentences along with multiple fixed terms, and was incarcerated at the St Albans Correctional Centre following the 2024 conviction.

Despite his imprisonment, further DNA analysis linked Glass to three additional dockets, including the rape of a 16-year-old girl in Addo and two separate rape cases in Joubertina involving a 13-year-old girl and a 23-year-old woman. 

In total, Glass was connected with DNA evidence in 16 separate cases. 

In his latest convictions in 2026, the details are: 

• On April 17, 2022, at about 4.45am, a 16-year-old girl was grabbed at knifepoint outside her home, dragged to a nearby yard, and raped without a condom in Addo. 
• In February 2019, a 13-year-old girl and her younger cousins, aged 10 and 12, were threatened with a knife while walking home. The victim begged Glass not to rape the younger children. He raped her without a condom and stole their backpack in Joubertina. 
• On December 30, 2018, a 23-year-old woman and her 14-year-old brother were confronted by Glass, who demanded money. Glass assaulted the brother with a stick, robbed them, and then raped the woman twice without a condom in Joubertina. 

On April 14, 2026, Glass was convicted on all six counts across the three cases. 

The court ordered that Glass be sent to Fort England Hospital for psychiatric observation due to his abnormal behaviour during the crimes. 

The report submitted to the court confirmed Glass was mentally fit, committed all the offences intentionally, and showed no remorse. 

As a result, the court declared him a dangerous criminal. 

Glass was sentenced to undergo imprisonment for an indefinite period. 

The court ordered that Glass be brought before the same court after the expiry of 23 years from June 4, 2026, for reconsideration of his sentence.

Eastern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata, lauded the sterling work conducted by Detective Warrant Officer Sonwabile Dlomo and Detective Sergeant Vuyokazi Bayi, whose meticulous investigation and use of DNA technology were instrumental in linking Glass to these cases and securing the convictions.

“We commend the investigating team, the NPA, and the judiciary for ensuring that a dangerous predator has been removed from society indefinitely. We hope this brings closure to the many survivors and their families,” Lieutenant General Ncata said.

robin.francke@iol.co.za

IOL