By AGISANANG SCUFF
17 November 2025- Zimbabwean man (30) was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court for rape. On the evening of 23 January 2023, the victim (23) and her sister were walking back from church in Nellmapius to their place of residence in Phumulong Townahip, near Tembisa when they were approached by the accused and his friend.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said the men demanded their cell phones and money, but the women indicated they had none. Mahanjana said the accused then forcibly dragged the victim into nearby bushes, while his friend remained with the victim’s sister on the street.
“Once in the bushes, he undressed and raped her. After the assault, he returned with the victim to her sister and ordered them to continue walking home. The following morning, the victim and her sister reported the incident to a male friend, who accompanied them to the police station and reported the matter to the police.
“The man was later arrested on 15 May 2025, while already in custody on an unrelated matter. During court proceedings, the accused pleaded guilty, admitting that he took advantage of the victim because it was late at night and no one was around,” she said.
Mahanjana further said through his legal representative, he asked the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, arguing that he was a first-time offender with three minor children to support. She added that, however, the state prosecutor Bridgett Sebokwana urged the court not to deviate, emphasising the seriousness and prevalence of the offence within the court’s jurisdiction.
“She argued that a guilty plea does not necessarily reflect remorse and highlighted the traumatic nature of the attack, noting that the victim was dragged into the bushes and violated while walking home from church.
“Sebokwana further submitted that there is significant public outcry regarding such offences and asked the court to hand down a sentence that will reflect the gravity of the crime committed and to maintain public confidence in the justice system,” said Mahanjana.
In delivering judgment, Magistrate Adriaan Bekker agreed with the state, stating that the man had shown no remorse and had preyed upon a vulnerable young woman returning from church. Bekker said the court found no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify deviating from the prescribed minimum sentence.
Meanwhile, acting Director of Public Prosecutions in Gauteng, Advocate Marika Jansen Van Vuuren, commended the work of the prosecutor and expressed hope that the sentence would help restore dignity to women and children, enabling them to walk freely in their communities without fear of victimisation.
The Guardian 