In a landmark ruling, the Sasolburg Regional Court sentenced Thabo Maseko (32) to life imprisonment for the rape of a homeless woman.
Convicted under Section 51(1) of the Minimum Sentences Act, Maseko’s crime occurred on the night of 16 September 2021.
On that night, Maseko and an unknown accomplice attacked the victim as she warmed herself by a fire on the street.
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Exploiting her vulnerable state, they dragged and assaulted her, mistakenly accusing her of being a woman named Sibongile.
Despite her pleas and clarifications that she was not Sibongile, the men continued their assault.
The unknown accomplice initiated the rape, and Maseko followed suit. After the attack, the victim, who was near a police station, immediately reported the incident. Authorities swiftly apprehended Maseko, thanks to the victim’s identification.
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During the trial, Maseko’s defense argued for leniency, claiming the case did not warrant the maximum sentence.
However, Regional Court Prosecutor Ntombi Marase refuted this, emphasizing that all rape cases are equally heinous.
Marase highlighted that Maseko exploited the victim’s homelessness and showed no remorse, even though they knew each other from Zamdela near Sasolburg.
The Court Prep Officer (CPO), Kelly Mbasa, assisted the 28-year-old victim in presenting her victim impact statement.
The statement detailed the profound effect the rape had on her life and her sense of dignity. The victim’s testimony reinforced the court’s decision.
The court concluded that Maseko and his accomplice had premeditated the attack, having followed the victim from a tavern.
With no substantial or compelling reasons to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, the court sentenced Maseko to life imprisonment and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) stressed the importance of aggressively prosecuting cases of sexual violence, reaffirming its commitment to protecting the rights to dignity and privacy of all victims.
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