PAROLEE SENTENCED TO TWO LIFE TERMS AND AN ADDITIONAL 20 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT
03 NOVEMBER 2025
PAROLEE SENTENCED TO TWO LIFE TERMS AND AN ADDITIONAL 20 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT
Sibasa, Limpopo – The Sibasa Regional Court has convicted and sentenced Thinavhuyo Magogodela (40) from Ha-Luvhimbi village to two life terms and an additional 20 years’ imprisonment for three counts of rape and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH). The court further declared him unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 and ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sexual Offenders. Magogodela had pleaded not guilty. The court heard evidence that between October and December 2019, he terrorised women in the Ha-Luvhimbi and surrounding areas. He would threaten victims, drag them into nearby bushes where he raped them, and rob them of their belongings. In one instance, he approached a woman and proposed a relationship. When she refused, he assaulted her in front of her children. The victims were adult women aged 18, 38, and 47, one of whom is disabled. The accused was linked to the offences through DNA evidence and was arrested thereafter.
In aggravation of sentence, State Advocate Rabelani Mutsinda-Makhera presented Victim Impact Reports compiled by different social workers in respect of each count, outlining the severe psychological and emotional harm suffered by the victims. The State further submitted that Magogodela had a previous conviction in 2011 for a similar offence, for which he was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment and later released on parole. Despite this, he reoffended, showing no remorse. The prosecution argued that the accused viewed women merely as objects to satisfy himself. Citing statistics that identify South Africa as one of the countries with the highest incidence of rape, and Thohoyandou as a hotspot, the State contended that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify deviating from the prescribed minimum sentence.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence. The Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, Adv. Ivy Thenga said, “These cases provide justice and closure to victims and their families while removing violent criminals from our streets. She also commended the prosecution team and the police for their excellent work in securing the conviction.
Issued by:
Mashudu Malabi
Regional Spokesperson – Limpopo Division
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)
074 823 3603