Multiple Life Terms for Bloemfontein Serial Rapist

26 MARCH 2025

 

Multiple Life Terms for Bloemfontein Serial Rapist

Anthony Watson (43) from Heidedal in Bloemfontein, has been sentenced to five life sentences by the Bloemfontein Sexual Offences Court following his conviction on five separate counts of rape. Watson's conviction stems from a series of sexually violent offences, that left victims traumatised, feeling betrayed and shattered. The court’s ruling, which comes after a prolonged legal battle, underscores the severity of his actions and serves as a stern reminder of the judicial system's commitment to justice for victims of sexual crimes.

The first state's case emanates from an incident in 2019 when the accused met his victim, a 14-year-old girl, and took her to his house where he smoked dagga with her and later raped her after drugging her. In 2023 he met another victim, an adult complainant who asked him for cigarettes, instead of giving her the cigarette he took her to his house where he raped her.

In the same year 2023, the accused also met with the third complainant in a drug house, he gave her what was presumed to be drugs and later raped her. On the same day, later the accused met another victim, the complainant on counts 4 and 5. He also met her in a drug house. After smoking drugs, the complainant asked if she could go bath at his place since they had no water at her house. He agreed and upon their arrival at his house, he raped her twice. The accused was known to all the complainants. The cases were reported to the police and the accused was arrested and charged with 5 counts of rape.

Although this case presented significant challenges for the prosecution, Advocate Jan-Louis York demonstrated remarkable perseverance and skill in presenting the evidence. The complexities of the case were compounded by the fact that all of the victims admitted to having been under the influence of drugs during the incidents. Despite this, Advocate York argued compellingly throughout the trial that the accused, Anthony Watson, was fully aware of the victims' vulnerability due to their drug addiction, and that he had carefully and deliberately exploited their weakened state to carry out his crimes. Advocate York emphasised that Watson’s actions were not isolated incidents, but rather the work of a serial rapist who had methodically and consistently preyed on vulnerable individuals. He further contended that Watson posed an ongoing and significant danger to society, asserting that the only way to protect the public was to remove him permanently from it.

In sentencing, the court ruled that the sentences for counts 4 and 5 would run concurrently, meaning that Watson would effectively serve two life sentences. This decision reflects the gravity of his offences and ensures that he will be incarcerated for life, unable to harm others. The outcome brings a measure of justice for the victims and serves as a strong reminder of the need for vigilance and support for vulnerable individuals in society.

Each of these successful prosecutions by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is the culmination of months and even years of painstaking investigative and prosecutorial work and exemplifies hundreds of similar cases prosecuted successfully daily. All cases of sexual violence encroach on the rights to dignity and privacy of the victims as enshrined in our constitution hence the NPA will continue to aggressively prosecute these cases.

Issued by:

Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Free State Division
Contact: 073 423 3539
Email: MSenokoatsane@npa.gov.za