REGIONAL COURT SENTENCES RAPIST TO 22 YEARS IMPRISONMENT
04 August 2025
REGIONAL COURT SENTENCES RAPIST TO 22 YEARS IMPRISONMENT
Harrismith – Free State, Sibusiso Malinga(29), has been convicted and sentenced to 22 years of direct imprisonment by the Harrismith Regional Court, after he pleaded guilty to raping a 58-year-old woman at her home in Harrismith in the Eastern Free State.
On 24 September 2023, the complainant was at her residence when the accused, who is known to her, forcefully gained access to the property. He threatened her with a knife and dragged her into the bathroom, where he raped her multiple times. The traumatised victim immediately contacted the police. She was able to positively identify the perpetrator, leading to his swift arrest.
The accused appeared in court on 30 July 2025, and pleaded guilty to a charge of rape, as read with Section 51(1)(a) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997, which prescribes a minimum sentence of life imprisonment for such offences under certain circumstances.
State Prosecutor Samuel Campher, led the prosecution and called the complainant to testify in aggravation of sentence. Her courageous account of the trauma she endured contributed to the court’s understanding of the gravity of the crime. Magistrate Pillay Botes sentenced the accused to 22 years of direct imprisonment, sending a strong message that gender-based violence will not be tolerated and that justice will be served.
The NPA commends the bravery of the survivor and the diligent work of law enforcement and the prosecution team in ensuring accountability. These outcomes reaffirm the NPA’s commitment to confronting the scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) with resolve and determination. Every successful prosecution is a clear message that acts of violence against women will not go unpunished.
The NPA remains steadfast in its constitutional mandate to ensure justice for the most vulnerable members of society, particularly women and children. We continue to prioritise GBVF cases through specialised prosecution units and work closely with the SAPS, the judiciary, and civil society to ensure that victims’ voices are heard and their rights protected.
The NPA calls upon communities to stand united against GBVF, to report abuse, and to support survivors in accessing justice. We must all play a role in building a society where women are safe, respected, and valued.
Issued by:
Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Free State Division
073 423 3539