SERIAL RAPIST SENTENCED TO LIFE AND 491 YEARS' DIRECT IMPRISONMENT
21 MAY 2025
SERIAL RAPIST SENTENCED TO LIFE AND 491 YEARS' DIRECT IMPRISONMENT
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence of life and 491 years' direct imprisonment handed down by the Pretoria High Court to Doctor Nkurube Maruma (34) from Mamelodi, for a series of heinous sexual offences and violent crimes. This is after Maruma was convicted of 19 counts of rape,15 counts of housebreaking with intent to commit robbery and robbery with aggravating circumstances,3 counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances,2 counts of housebreaking with intent to commit rape,2 counts of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft,1 count of attempted rape,1 count of sexual assault and 1 count of theft. The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently with the life imprisonment term, and Maruma was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Between October 2017 and August 2022, Maruma used the same modus operandi of breaking into victims’ homes during the early hours of the morning or at night, robbing them, and raping the female victims threatening them with a knife or a gun. Between 2017 and 2018 Maruma committed these offenses in Limpopo province while he was still residing there. When he moved to Pretoria he continued with his modus operandi from 2019 until 2022 when he was arrested. During this period, Maruma broke into 15 households, his oldest rape victim was a 38-year-old woman, while his youngest rape victim was a15 year old girl.
On 1 October 2017 at about 02H00 Marumo raped the 38-year-old-woman at her home in Limpopo while she had gone an outside toilet to relive herself. On a different incident Marumo raped the 15-year-old girl in the presence of her mother after he broke into their home in the middle of the night. Maruma was finally arrested on 14 August 2022, shortly after raping and robbing another victim of three cell phones and two laptops. The victim alerted a neighbour, and while searching the area, they stopped a police vehicle that was passing and reported the incident. Police later spotted and arrested Maruma.
In court, Maruma pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations. However, the prosecutor Advocate Vusimuzi Tshabalala, presented DNA evidence linking Maruma to the crimes and led compelling testimonies from the victims. During sentencing, Maruma, through his legal representative, asked the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentences because he was young when committing the offences and could not fully comprehend the magnitude of his offences. Furthermore, he asked the court to consider his unfortunate upbringing when imposing the sentence. Advocate Tshabalala opposed the request, arguing that Maruma was 26 years old when he began offending, fully aware of his actions, and showed no remorse for the offences because Maruma laughed and mocked victims during their testimonies, claiming to be bewitched. Moreover, Adv Tshabalala said, Maruma preyed on women and children who are regarded as the most vulnerable people in society by unlawfully entering their houses, robbing and raping them.
Judge Mashudu Munzhelele agreed with the state and emphasised that Maruma showed no remorse and mocked victims’ suffering during the trial. Furthermore, the judge said Maruma was not a productive member of society, he committed crimes instead of seeking honest work and terrorised his community through calculated, repeated criminal acts. In addition, Judge Munzhelele said the sentence imposed should send a strong message that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and similar crimes will not be tolerated. Therefore, the court found no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentences.
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Advocate Marika Jansen Van Vuuren, commended the prosecutor for his dedication and resilience in securing the conviction. She stated: “This landmark sentence sends a powerful message that crimes of gender-based violence will be met with the full might of the law. It reflects the NPA’s unwavering commitment to ensuring justice for victims, holding perpetrators accountable, and protecting the most vulnerable members of our society. Serial offenders like Maruma have no place in our communities, and we will continue to pursue justice without fear or favour.”
Issued by:
Lumka Mahanjana
Regional Spokesperson – NPA Gauteng Division: Pretoria
073 002 0000
lmahanjana@npa.gov.za