TWO LIFE TERMS AND AN ADDITIONAL 15 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR MAN WHO RAPED MOTHER AND HER 10-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence of two terms of life imprisonment and an additional 15 years’ imprisonment imposed by the Belfast Regional Court on 28-year-old Gordon Mabuza for the rape of a 38-year-old woman and her 10-year-old daughter, attempted murder, housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery.

The offences were committed on 23 December 2022 at the victims’ home in Dullstroom. Mabuza entered the house through a window while the mother and her daughter were sleeping in separate rooms. He raped the woman and, during the attack, stabbed her several times with a knife and threatened to kill her if she reported the incident.

Mabuza then proceeded to the room where the 10-year-old child was sleeping and raped her. The child lost consciousness following the attack. Despite her serious injuries, the mother managed to seek assistance from a neighbour. Both victims were taken to hospital. The child was discharged after three days, while her mother remained hospitalised for approximately two weeks.

During the trial, Mabuza denied committing the offences. However, the State, led by State Prosecutor Makhosonke Mashinini, presented compelling evidence, including viva voce testimony, DNA evidence linking Mabuza to the offences, and J88 medical evidence. The court accepted the State’s evidence, rejected Mabuza’s version, and convicted him.

In aggravation of sentence, Prosecutor Mashinini emphasised the brutality of the attack, the vulnerability of the child and the profound violation of the victims’ human dignity, bodily integrity and right to feel safe in their own home. The State argued for a sentence that reflected the seriousness of the offences and the devastating impact they had on the victims.

The court sentenced Mabuza to life imprisonment on each of the two rape counts and 15 years’ imprisonment for attempted murder, as well as 12 months’ imprisonment for housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and unsuitable to work with children. The court further ordered that his particulars be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

The NPA welcomes the sentence as an appropriate response to the brutality and degrading nature of these crimes. Women and children have the right to feel safe in their homes, and those who violate their dignity, bodily integrity and security must face the full might of the law.

The NPA remains resolute in its commitment to vigorously prosecuting perpetrators of gender-based violence and crimes against children, without fear, favour, or prejudice. This sentence demonstrates the NPA’s determination to ensure that perpetrators of sexual violence are held accountable and that the voices and experiences of victims remain central to the pursuit of justice.

Monica Nyuswa

NPA Regional Spokesperson

DPP: Mpumalanga