<P> Life imprisonment in South Africa has an indeterminate length and may last for the remainder of the offender 's life . It is a mandatory punishment for premeditated murder , gang rape , serial rape and rape where the rapist knew they were HIV positive or if the victim was under 18 and / or mentally disabled . In certain circumstances , robberies and hijackings ( and aircraft hijacking ) also carry a mandatory life sentence . </P>
how long is life in prison in south africa
an indeterminate length and may last for the remainder of the offender 's life