Rape And Murder Accused Gets Life Imprisonment After Successful Collaboration
The Ga-Rankuwa Regional Court sentenced Thabo Mathibe(28), to life imprisonment for rape and 15 years for murdering a 14-year-old girl in Kgabalatsane in the North West. Police reports reveal that on 27 November 2019, the victim was sleeping when Mathibe broke into her home, attacked, raped, and murdered her afterward. Her lifeless body was discovered by her mother, who heard a commotion in her room, and upon investigating saw the accused fleeing the scene.
The mother then called for help, and neighbours went on a search for Mathibe who was later apprehended, and the police were called to arrest him. The accused stayed the duration of the trial in police custody as he abandoned his bail application.
During court proceedings, Mathibe pleaded not guilty on both charges. The state prosecutor Adv Thabo Motlhamme pleaded with the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence as the crimes committed are serious. Magistrate Aggrey Sephothi agreed with the state and also alluded to the need to fight the scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide in the country.
The Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr. Rachel Makhari-Sekhaolelo, lauded the collaboration between the police and the state prosecutor in bringing the perpetrator to book.
Inquiries:
Henry Mamothame
NPA Spokesperson
NW Division
082 317 5731