ZIMBABWEAN NATIONAL SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS’ DIRECT IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE
14 NOVEMBER 2025
ZIMBABWEAN NATIONAL SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS’ DIRECT IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE
Pretoria – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence of 15 years’ direct imprisonment handed down by the Pretoria Magistrates' Court to a 30-year-old Zimbabwean national, following his conviction for the rape of a 23-year-old woman. The court ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sexual Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
On the evening of 23 January 2023, the victim and her sister were walking back from church in Nellmapius to their place of residence in Phumulong when they were approached by the 30-year-old man and his friend. The men demanded their phones and money, but the women indicated they had none. The 30-year-old man then forcibly dragged the victim into nearby bushes, while his friend remained with the victim’s sister on the street. Once in the bushes, he undressed and raped her. After the assault, he returned with the victim to her sister and ordered them to continue walking home. The following morning, the victim and her sister reported the incident to a male friend, who accompanied them to the police station and reported the matter to the police. The man was later arrested on 15 May 2025, while already in custody on an unrelated matter.
During court proceedings, the accused pleaded guilty, admitting that he took advantage of the victim because it was late at night and no one was around. Through his legal representative, he asked the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, arguing that he was a first-time offender with three minor children to support. However, State Prosecutor Bridgete Sebokwana urged the court not to deviate, emphasising the seriousness and prevalence of the offence within the court’s jurisdiction. She argued that a guilty plea does not necessarily reflect remorse and highlighted the traumatic nature of the attack, noting that the victim was dragged into the bushes and violated while walking home from church. Sebokwana further submitted that there is significant public outcry regarding such offences and asked the court to hand down a sentence that will reflect the gravity of the crime committed and to maintain public confidence in the justice system.
In delivering judgment, Magistrate Adriaan Bekker agreed with the state, stating that the man had shown no remorse and had preyed upon a vulnerable young woman returning from church. The court found no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify deviating from the prescribed minimum sentence.
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in Gauteng, Advocate Marika Jansen Van Vuuren, commended the work of the prosecutor and expressed hope that the sentence would help restore dignity to women and children, enabling them to walk freely in their communities without fear of victimisation.
Issued by:
Lumka Mahanjana
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Gauteng Division: Pretoria
073 002 0000