By BAKANG MOKOTO
1 June 2026 – A man (36) from Tsakane Township, near Boksburg was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Tsakane Magistrate’s Court for raping a minor (14). On 5 December 2022, the accused, Thabang Malibonwe called the complainant from her place of residence in Tsakane to come to his home so that he could send her to the nearby shops.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana said upon her arrival, he instructed her to sit on his bed, pinned her down and raped her. Mahanjana said after the incident, the victim left the accused’s residence and returned home.
“On 22 December 2022, she reported the matter to the police. Following an investigation, Malibonwe was arrested on 26 December 2022 at his home. During the trial, Malibonwe pleaded not guilty and claimed that he and the victim had consensual sex.
“However, the state prosecutor Leonora Sejake presented compelling evidence, including the victim’s testimony, which proved his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In mitigation of sentence, Malibonwe requested the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.
“He cited that he is a first-time offender, has minor children who depend on him and has already spent time in custody. Sejake, however, argued strongly against any deviation, emphasising the extreme seriousness and prevalence of the offence,” she said.
She further said Sejake highlighted that Malibonwe showed no remorse, had abused the victim’s trust and was responsible for the revocation of his bail after interfering with witnesses. Mahanjana added that Sejake also submitted a Victim Impact Statement (VIS), facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Nothando Mbatha, in which the victim described the profound and ongoing psychological trauma she has suffered, including regular sessions with a psychologist since the incident.
“In delivering judgment, the magistrate agreed with the state that the accused showed no remorse. The magistrate emphasised that the victim was not only physically violated, but that her emotional well-being, self-worth, trust in others, education, mental health, and prospects had been severely damaged.
“The court found that the impact on the victim constituted an exceptional and weighty aggravating factor and that no substantial and compelling circumstances existed to justify deviating from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment,” said Mahanjana.
She said the NPA remains steadfast in its commitment to combating gender-based violence and femicide, and reaffirms that the criminal justice system treats such offences with the utmost seriousness.
The Guardian 