LIMPOPO FUGITIVE SENTENCED TO 75 YEARS IMPRISONMENT
The Limpopo Polokwane High Court has convicted and sentenced Frans Sekgobela (45), to 75 years imprisonment for housebreaking with intent to commit an offence, robbery with aggravating circumstances, rape, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition, and escaping from lawful custody. The second accused turned into a state witness.
During the trial, the accused pleaded not guilty, and the state witnesses testified that between November 2019 and January 2020, the accused and other unknown people were detained at Hoedspruit Police, for another matter and they escaped through the roof. The accused went to the complainant’s house in Butswana village and broke into her premises, and then pointed a firearm at the complainant, demanded that she electronically transfer money amounting to R2000, into his account and further robbed her of her car keys, vehicle and two cellphones. He kidnapped the complainant by driving away with her from her homestead, along the way, he drove into the bushes, instructed her to undress and raped her. After the ordeal, he left her along the road at night.
In aggravation of the sentence, the state Adv. Lerato Mohlaka has submitted that the offences are serious and that the accused is not a first-time offender. He has a streak of previous convictions involving possession of firearms and ammunition, none of the sentences previously imposed deterred him from committing this current offence. Mohlaka indicated to the court that in January 2023, the Thohoyandou High Court sentenced the accused to eight years imprisonment for offences relating to firearms and ammunition. She further argued that the offence of rape has an impact on killing the victim’s spirit and is often regarded as worse than murder and pleaded with the court to impose a none parole condition on the sentences to be imposed as the accused is a danger to the community.
In sentencing, Judge George Phatudi remarked that the accused had committed a heinous crime against someone he knows, and these offences were committed after he had escaped from police custody. He further remarked that the sentences to be imposed must reflect the seriousness of the accused offences. The judge emphasised the need to protect women’s dignity, freedom, and security rights.
The NPA hopes that the would-be offenders will be deterred from committing similar offences. We are pleased with the good work done by Advocate Mohlaka and investigating officer Sergeant Rhulani Matheye of Maake Police Station.
