Limpopo courts this week dished out heavy sentences to two men found guilty of rape in different parts of the province.
On Tuesday, the Thabamoopo regional court in Lebowakgomo sentenced 40-year-old Sello Koos Moganedi to life in prison. He was handed additional 15-year imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances. The sentences will run concurrently.
Moganedi was found guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl on April 16, 2017 at Magatle village in Zebediela. The victim is the daughter of Moganedi’s lover.
The court heard that the victim was home alone when the attacker arrived around 4am. Her mother had been away on a family commitment. Moganedi forcefully broke into the victim’s house and demanded she comply with his demands. He threatened to stab her with the knife he carried.
Moganedi ordered the girl to undress and raped her. Afterwards, he robbed her of two cellphones and fled the scene.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba explained: “Sergeant Mogale Billy was tasked to investigate the case. The accused was linked with DNA and arrested in June 2020.”
Moganedi was denied bail until he was found guilty and sentenced for his crimes.
Teen stabbed by intruder
In the second case on October 30, the regional court in Senwabarwana convicted and imposed a 15-year prison term to 34-year-old Tumelo Surprise Mmoko for rape and house breaking with intention to commit crime.
The court heard that on February 18, 2017 the accused broke into a house at Ga-Machaba village outside Polokwane at about 9am while the 19-year-old victim was asleep with her siblings.
It is reported that when the teen saw the intruder in her room, a fight ensued leading to her being stabbed and subsequently overpowered and raped in the presence of the siblings.
It is further reported that one of the siblings managed to get out of the house and shouted for help from their neighbors.
Mashaba said the court ordered for the details of the accused to be added to the register for sexual offenders.
