The Tzaneen Regional Court sentenced a 32-year-old man, Mahlatsi Jonas Malatji from Modubung village to life imprisonment for the rape of a 13-year-old girl.
According to the information received from NPA Regional Spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, the accused pleaded not guilty to the offence, and the state-led evidence of the witnesses. Witnesses stated that on 11 July 2022 at Ga-Maraka village, the victim and her friend were walking from a nearby village when the unknown man ran after them and grabbed the victim whilst her friend managed to escape.
The accused Malatji then dragged the victim to a nearby river and threatened her with a knife, and further raped her. The victim’s friend managed to get home and alerted the victim’s aunts who sought assistance from the community members to search for the victim. The accused escaped from the scene after he heard the community members calling out the victim’s name. He was later identified by the victim and her friend, and that led to his arrest.
The Regional Court prosecutor, Emmanuel Phatudi led the testimony of the victim and also the Victim Impact Statement compiled by the social worker, Millicent Maluleke. It indicated how the incident negatively impacted the victim and the trauma that she suffered.
The statement further detailed how the victim lives in fear of being raped again and not comfortable around men. When aggravating the sentence, the prosecutor submitted that the accused showed no sign of remorse, he did not take any responsibility as he mentioned that he had consumed liquor on the day of the incident and that he did not consider the consequences of his actions on the victim’s life.
The state further argued that the accused was not a suitable candidate for rehabilitation and should be removed from society permanently.
In conclusion, the state submitted that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances justifying a lesser sentence. The Regional Court Magistrate, Lamminga agreed with the state and further remarked that the accused has violated the victim, and she now lives in fear because of his actions.
The NPA welcomed the sentence, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Ivy Thenga stands firm against the violence of women and children, she hopes the sentence will restore the dignity of the victim who was violated by the accused. The DPP further applauded Phatudi and the investigating officer, sergeant Auldah Vukeya from the Tzaneen Family Violence and Sexual Offence Unit for the good work done.