By REGINALD KANYANE
6 November 2025- A man (43) was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by the Garankuwa Regional Court for three separate sexual offences. The accused, Thomas Mlambo Baloyi received 15 years for rape committed in 2008, 10 years for rape committed in 2014 and 15 years for rape committed in 2017.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said sentences on count one and three to run concurrently, the effective sentence is 25 years. Gunya said Baloyi’s name will be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders, and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
“The court heard that between May 2008 and January 2017, in Kromkuil village, near Winterveldt, Baloyi in all three instances, used the same modus operandi by accompanying unsuspecting female victims during the night. Evidence presented in court revealed that, along the way, he would force himself on the victims and sexually assault them.
“The victims were two adult women and a minor aged 15 years in 2014. He was linked to all the offences through DNA evidence and was arrested on 3 March 2023. He abandoned his right to bail and remained in custody,” he said.
Gunya further said during proceedings, Mlambo pleaded guilty to all charges in terms of a plea and sentence agreement with the state. He added that the state prosecutor, Jafta Maleka, told the court about the trend when committing these offences.
“He further told the court that Baloyi targeted the vulnerable members of the community,” said Gunya.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended the prosecution team and all role players for securing the conviction. Makhari said the DPP emphasised the need for community cooperation with authorities in reporting any acts of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
“The NPA remains committed to ensuring accountability and fighting GBV in South Africa,” she said.
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