By REGINALD KANYANE
A serial rapist, Johannes Nokeri was sentenced to 191 years imprisonment by the North West High Court sitting in Temba for 18 counts of rape, 23 counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, theft of a motor vehicle and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition on 14 January 2022.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said Nokeri embarked on a series of rapes, robberies and theft in the areas around Hammanskraal and Temba in the North West Province between 2012 and 2017.
Mamothame said the accused mostly targeted unsuspecting women who would be travelling from taverns at night in the early hours of the morning and rob off their money, cellphone and clothing items before raping some of them.
“One of the victims was five months pregnant when she was repeatedly raped by Nokeri. He was eventually arrested five years later in possession of a stolen vehicle. The owner of the vehicle reported it as stolen to the police and the tracking company a day before Nokeri’s arrest.
“He was also found in possession of six live rounds of ammunition. During court proceedings, it emerged that in some of his offences, he was accompanied by an individual unknown to the state,” he said.
Mamothame further said Nokeri was previously afforded three Legal Aid attorneys and one private attorney sourced by Legal Aid, but he fired them and opted to represent himself throughout the trial.
“In committing these crimes, it was established that he applied the same modus operandi by threatening his victims with violence if they failed to abide by his orders. In some of the rape charges, the state relied on DNA results that linked him to the commissioning of these offences.
“Two of the victims testified in court and alluded to Nokeri’s aggressive behaviour when he raped and robbed them. Nokeri has two previous convictions on two charges of rape and robbery. He was sentenced to ten years imprisonment to which he has now served three years,” said Mamothame.
In aggravation of sentence, State prosecutor advocate Mashudu Muliwa urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence and to further consider the victim impact statements, which depicts the suffering and the eroded dignity of the victims in the hands of Nokeri.
Muliwa also raised concerns about Nokeri’s remorseless behaviour.
North West High Court Judge, Shane Kgoele shared the same sentiments. Kgoele described Nokeri as an individual who has no respect for women and further alluded to the responsibility that the court has in protecting communities against the likes of Nokeri.
“I refer to the conviction as a way of sending a strong message to perpetrators of such crimes,” she said.
Meanwhile, the accused applied for leave to appeal the conviction and sentencing and the court granted him a hearing. However, he later withdrew it and indicated that he will submit a written application after receiving court transcripts.
The acting Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari-Sekhaolelo also welcomed the conviction and lauded Muliwa and Sergeant Moloantoa Rapakgadi for a collaborative effort that resulted in a successful conviction.
The Guardian 