By OBAKENG MAJE
A serial rapist (30) has been sentenced to four lives imprisonment for four counts of rape and 45 years for three counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances by the Mmabatho Sexual Offences Court. Karabo Zacharia Maeza was also sentenced to extra 10 years for one count of rape.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said these offences were committed around Lonely Park, Signal Hill, and Molelwane villages in Mahikeng between May 2014 and May 2022.
Mamothame further said Maeza and his unknown co-perpetrator, accosted women who were walking from taverns at night and threatened them with knives before dragging them into open fields and bushes and rape them.
“They would subsequently rob the complainants of their belongings before fleeing the scene. He was arrested on 30 June 2022 and the court denied him bail. Maeza was linked to the offences through DNA samples and he pleaded not guilty to all the charges,” he added.
In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Adv Kefentse Diseko, urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. Diseko further alluded to the emotional and physical trauma suffered by the complainants.
Magistrate Christel Mathews agreed with the state and remarked on the responsibility the court has in removing the accused from society, owing to his actions. The court also ordered that Maeza’s name be included in the national register of sexual offenders.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari lauded the prosecutor, Captain Charles Montshiwa from the South African Police Service (SAPS) and all role players who ensured that justice was served.
The Guardian 