By AGISANANG SCUFF
8 March 2026- A man (47) was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court for rape. The accused, Neil Klein from Cape Town, was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for the rape of a man (32) and five years’ imprisonment for the attempted rape of a man (43).
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said Klein was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. Mahanjana said Klein and both victims were residing at a shelter in Akasia at the time of the incidents.
“On 9 July 2023, a victim (43) went to the shelter’s bathroom, where he encountered Klein. Klein threatened the victim, locked the door, and undressed himself. However, the incident was interrupted when someone knocked on the door.
“Four months later, on 5 November 2023, a victim (32) also went to the bathroom, where he encountered Klein. Klein threatened him, instructed him to undress and proceeded to rape him by penetrating his anus,” she said.
Mahanjana further said after the assault, Klein left the victim in the bathroom. She added that immediately after the incident, a victim reported the matter to a woman who worked as a cook at the shelter.
“Upon hearing about the incident, the victim (43) also disclosed what had happened to him. The matter was reported to the police on the same day, and Klein was arrested at the shelter the following day.
“In court, Klein pleaded not guilty, claiming that a victim (43) had falsely accused him because he owed him money. However, the state prosecutor, Advocate Given Twala, presented compelling evidence, including testimony from both victims, which proved Klein’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,” said Mahanjana.
She said during sentencing proceedings, Klein, through his legal representative, asked the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence, citing his difficult upbringing, limited education due to epilepsy and his circumstances of living on the streets of Pretoria Central before being accommodated at the shelter. Mahanjana said, however, Twala argued that Klein had committed very serious offences and showed no remorse, as he continued to plead not guilty despite overwhelming evidence.
“He further submitted that Klein’s previous convictions for attempted rape and indecent assault had not deterred him from committing similar offences.
“Twala also highlighted that Klein had targeted vulnerable men who were trying to rebuild their lives while staying at the shelter, forcing them to relive traumatic experiences by testifying about sexual assault committed by another man,” she said.
Mahanjana said the state, therefore, argued that no substantial and compelling circumstances existed to justify deviating from the prescribed minimum sentence.
The Guardian 