Convicted South African sex trafficker and child rapist Gerhard Ackerman sentenced to life imprisonment

The organisation Women and Men Against Child Abuse has welcomed the 12 life sentences imposed on a man convicted of over 700 counts of rape and child abuse.

By Edward Era Barbacena 

Gerhard Ackerman was sentenced in the Johannesburg High Court by Judge Ismail Mohamed on Monday.

Ackerman fired his attorney and then announced that he'll petition for a retrial.

The WMACA's Miranda Jordan says a life sentence sends a strong message that the accused destroyed lives, in this case, the lives of many young boys.

"You can never justify destroying children's lives. We completely concur with Judge Ismali that Ackerman was a plainly evil man. 

Jordan says Ackerman's conduct during the trial was unacceptable.

"The judge had to reprimand him about his conduct on several occasions. He has shown no remorse throughout this process."