NATIONAL NEWS - Charles Ramafalo Mathibela (20) appeared in the Limpopo Division of High Court in Polokwane on charges of rape, murder, and robbery with aggravating circumstances and housebreaking with intent to rape. Mathibela visited his stepfather at a compound in Tzaneen on Friday, 5 July 2019, where he attacked and raped one of the neighbours.”
Most of the residents in the compound had left for the weekend and the accused found a 45-year-old woman cooking outside,” said a statement by Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe.
The body was only discovered on the Monday morning by the deceased’s daughter,” Ngoepe said. Police were called and Mathibela was arrested after circumstantial evidence from the crime scene linked him to the crime.
Sentences:
- 20 years’ imprisonment for murder
- 15 years’ imprisonment for rape
- 15 years’ imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
- 5 years’ imprisonment for housebreaking with intent to rape.
Meanwhile, two other accused were given long jail terms by the Thabazimbi Regional Court, in the Waterberg District, for rape and armed robbery that took place during separate incidents in the Thabazimbi area.
Matome Pheneus Pheta (31), on 5 May 2019, threatened a 27-year-old woman from Regorogile location with a toy gun while on the way to work. He then dragged her to nearby bushes, raped and robbed her of cellphone and jewellery.
“He was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for rape and 15 years’ imprisonment for armed robbery,” Ngoepe said.
Mpho Dineo Mokgweng (24) was found guilty of rape and burglary (residence) and was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for rape and five years’ imprisonment for burglary (residence). He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. “On 28 April 2019, the accused threatened a 17-year-old girl with a toy gun and forced her to the nearby bushes where he raped her. The victim was attending a church service at Matlekereng informal settlement when she was attacked,” Ngoepe explained.
He said both men were arrested following a lengthy police investigation.
“We are very pleased with the exceptional and outstanding performance of our detectives in the province, who continue to put all efforts in to ensure that these criminals who torment women and children, are kept away from the communities,” said Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Gen Nneke Ledwaba.
