MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE OF MENTALLY CHALLENGED WOMAN

02 JUNE 2025

MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE OF MENTALLY CHALLENGED WOMAN

Polokwane, Limpopo - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the life imprisonment term handed down by the Mahwelereng Regional Court to a 27-year-old man, convicted and sentenced for a count of rape of a mentally challenged woman. The name of the accused is concealed to protect the identity of the victim, as they are known to each other.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges put to him, and the state led witnesses who testified that on 08 March 2024, at Jakkalskuil village, the accused dragged the victim who was coming from a tavern to his house and further threatened to release the dogs to her and to kill her if she made noise. He then took her to his bedroom and raped her continuously. In the early hours of the morning, the victim managed to escape to seek assistance. The victim then reported the matter to the police station, and the accused was subsequently arrested.

In aggravation of sentence, state Prosecutor Takalani Sydney Mboyi, submitted that the accused has been convicted of a serious offence, and people like him make it hard for women to live because they are afraid to walk around as they fear being raped. The state further submitted that if 10 years' imprisonment is imposed, the community will take matters into their own hands and cause disruption. Furthermore, the accused is not a first-time offender as he was previously convicted of rape, and it clearly shows he cannot be rehabilitated. The prosecutor concluded by submitting that the accused did not show any remorse during the trial, even after he was convicted. Therefore, the court should not deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence, which is life imprisonment.

The court remarked that the accused violated the inner part of the victim, and a woman's body should be respected; anyone who violates it does so at their peril. The offence is serious and humiliating. The court further remarked that offences of rape in Mahwelereng are on number 27 nationally and number four in the province and this shows that rape is a scourge in our country. The court then found that the personal circumstances submitted are ordinary. Therefore, the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Limpopo Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Ivy Thenga stands firm in the commitment of the NPA to the fight against Gender-Based violence. She further hopes that the sentence imposed will instil the dignity of women and children, and they will be able to walk freely in the community without a fear of being victimised. The DPP further commended the good work done by Mboyi and other stakeholders involved in achieving this conviction.

Issued by:

Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Limpopo Division
Email: mmalabi@npa.gov.za
Cell no: 074 823 3603