ZIMBABWEAN NATIONAL SENTENCED TO LIFE AND AN ADDITIONAL 43 YEARS FOR MULTIPLE OFFENCES
05 SEPTEMBER 2025
ZIMBABWEAN NATIONAL SENTENCED TO LIFE AND AN ADDITIONAL 43 YEARS FOR MULTIPLE OFFENCES
Limpopo, South Africa - The Thohoyandou High Court sitting at Waterval Magistrates has convicted and sentenced a Zimbabwean national, Gift Madau (37), to a life sentence and an additional 43 years of imprisonment for multiple charges of rape and compelling or causing persons 18 years or older to witness sexual offences.
The court further ordered the sentences to run concurrently with a life sentence. The accused pleaded not guilty to all charges put to him, and the court heard that between April 2021 and May 2021, the accused would go around targeting women fetching firewood in the bushes and mountains of Vhufuli and Khubvi village. He raped victims aged between 23 and 56, armed with a panga and a knife. During these incidents, the accused had covered his face with a balaclava to hide his identity. However, he was linked to the offences through DNA.
In aggravation of sentence, state advocate Nnyambeni Nekhambele argued that the accused was not remorseful, and he raped one of the victims more than once. The state further submitted that the accused had previous convictions for murder and robbery. Further that he should be removed from society permanently. Judge Phatudi remarked that the attack on the victims was well-calculated and pre-planned. The judge further remarked that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances justifying the imposition of a lesser sentence than prescribed.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the sentence, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Ivy Thenga stated that "these cases provide some justice and closure to the victims and their families and remove violent criminals from our streets." She further praised advocate Nekhambele and other stakeholders involved in achieving this outcome.
Issued by:
Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi
Regional Spokesperson
Limpopo Division
074 823 3603