By BAKANG MOKOTO
2 September 2026 – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the sentencing of a man (28) from Sesalong village to an effective 20 years imprisonment for the rape of a woman (95). The Limpopo High Court sitting in Polokwane sentenced the accused to 20 years imprisonment for rape and a further eight years imprisonment for housebreaking with intent to rape.
The NPA regional spokesperson in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi said the court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, resulting in an effective sentence of 20 years imprisonment. Malabi said in addition, the court ordered that the accused’s name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders and that his identity be withheld to protect the victim and prevent secondary victimisation.
“The accused pleaded guilty in terms of Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Act and admitted that he knew the victim as the grandmother of his friend. The court heard that on 4 October 2025, the accused went to the victim’s homestead in Sesalong village looking for his friend.
“After finding the doors unlocked, he entered the house where the elderly woman was alone. He informed the victim that he wanted to have sexual intercourse with her. When she refused, he overpowered and raped her twice before fleeing the scene,” she said.
Malabi further said the accused was apprehended by community members the following day and handed over to the police. She added that the DNA evidence subsequently linked him positively to the offence.
In aggravation of sentence, state prosecutor advocate Lerato Mohlaka, handed in a Victim Impact Statement facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Morongwe Moifo. Mohlaka said the statement revealed the profound emotional impact of the crime on the victim.
“The victim felt humiliated, disgraced and deeply disrespected, particularly because she regarded the accused as a great-grandchild. During consultations with the prosecution team, the victim expressed that the attack had profoundly affected her outlook on life and dignity.
“The state argued that the accused’s reliance on intoxication, youthfulness and remorse should not be regarded as substantial and compelling circumstances. The prosecution urged the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment, emphasising that elderly persons are among the most vulnerable members of society and deserve the full protection of the law,” she said.
Welcoming the sentence, the Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, Advocate Ivy Thenga said this sentence affirms the NPA’s unwavering commitment to securing justice for victims of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), particularly the most vulnerable members of our society. Thenga said crimes of this nature violate the dignity, safety and fundamental rights of victims and cannot be tolerated.
“We would like to commend Mohlaka, the investigating officer and all stakeholders involved in the successful prosecution of the matter. The NPA remains steadfast in its commitment to combating Gender-Based Violence and Femicide and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions,” she said.
The Guardian 