By REGINALD KANYANE

20 October 2024- A man (34) was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Madikwe Regional Court for brutal rape of a woman (37). On 28 October 2023, in Pella village, outside Rustenburg, the victim was walking alone to her homestead when Utlwanang Jack Thebe accosted her from behind.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said, despite her attempts to resist and fight back, Thebe overpowered her. Gunya said he strangled her and inflicted serious injuries before committing the sexual assault without her consent.

“Following the traumatic incident, the victim managed to return home, where she sought help. Subsequent medical examinations revealed that she had been infected with HIV as a result of the assault. Thebe was arrested on 6 November 2023, and he has been remanded in custody since.

“During the trial, the court heard testimony describing the severe physical and psychological toll the attack had taken on the victim. Detective Sergeant Mabule, the investigating officer, ensured that the victim attend court for both consultations and the trial, highlighting the commitment to supporting survivors of such crimes,” he said.

The state prosecutor, Tebogo Mokoka, emphasized the gravity and prevalence of rape in her arguments for sentencing. Mokoka, articulated that Thebe’s actions constituted a violation of the victim’s constitutional rights to bodily integrity and safety, resulting in brutal violence and lasting trauma.

“We submitted a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) that detailed the profound effect the attack had on the victim’s life,” she said.

In her ruling, Magistrate Lebo Raborife acknowledged the aggravating circumstances of the case, including the fact that Thebe raped the victim, while being aware of his HIV status. Raborife further pointed out that Thebe had a prior conviction for a similar offence in 2015 and deemed it necessary to remove him from society, as he had not learned from previous consequences.

Meanwhile, Dr Rachel Makhari, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, welcomed the life sentence and commended the dedication of the police, state prosecutors, and investigators involved in securing this conviction.

“This sentence serves as a crucial deterrent against perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in our country. We must continue to ensure justice for victims and take a firm stance against such heinous acts,” she added.

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