WISEMAN DALA MALULEKE SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE

The Giyani Regional Court convicted and sentenced Wiseman Dala Maluleke (24) to life imprisonment for the rape of a 16-year-old girl twice.

In 2022, the accused met the victim and her boyfriend on the road and offered to buy them soft drinks and a bunny chow since he knew the victim’s boyfriend.

Later, he then demanded the money which he used to buy them food or he will take the victim by force. He then took the victim by force while threatening her with a knife. He took her to the bushes where he raped her and later took her to his house where she was raped for the second time.

During the trial, the state prosecutor, Cathrine Maluleke called four witnesses to testify and J88 and 212 affidavit were also handed in to corroborate the version of the state witnesses. The accused also testified and called his brother as a defence witness and he denied ever committing the offences.

The court found the accused guilty of rape read with the provisions of section 51(1) of the criminal law amendment act 105 of 1997. The state prosecutor, Cathrine Chauke led the evidence of the probation officer, Mr Manganyi who compiled the pre-sentence report in aggravation of sentence.

The defence called the accused to testify in mitigation of his sentence as well as his brother. The state argued that the court should impose a life imprisonment term and the defence argued for the court to deviate, however, the presiding officer Mr Madzhiye found that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances warranting the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence and the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Ivy Thenga welcomes the sentence and applauds the good work of the prosecutions and SAPS to ensure that justice be done.