HARARE, March 8 (Xinhua) -- A 31-year-old serial rapist has been sentenced to an effective 72 years in jail by a regional court in Zimbabwe.

The state-run Herald newspaper reported Thursday that regional magistrate Dambudzo Malunga had sentenced Charles Magombedze of Chikova Village in Masvingo Province to 78 years in prison, but conditionally suspended six years.

During his initial appearance in court on Tuesday, Magombedze said he was a member of a satanic cult which was bent on spilling blood and having unprotected sex and sire children with the same inclination.

Magombedze acknowledged guilty to eight counts of rape and pleaded with the courts to hand him a death sentence.

Zimbabwe's constitution may only permit the death penalty to be imposed on a person convicted of murder committed in aggravating circumstances.

Malunga said Magombedze deserved severe punishment because he had behaved like a beast by committing the offences.

Armed with dangerous weapons such as iron bars, axes and machetes, Magombedze molested more than 10 victims, including a 14-year-old girl and a police constabulary's wife.

Magombedze also faces attempted murder charges after he allegedly stabbed a woman five times in an attempt to rape her and other charges related to unlawful entry and theft.