SERIAL RAPIST SENTENCED FOR TERRORISING COMMUNITIES
The Nebo Regional Court has sentenced Pitso Tswane (33), from Ga Marishane village to two life imprisonment for gang rape of an adult person and for attempting to commit sexual assault on a 13-year-old girl and further sentenced to 50 years for two counts of housebreaking with intent to rape and rape. The accused pleaded not guilty, and the state-led evidence of the victims. The court heard that between 12 August 2012 and 13 February 2019, the accused would break into the houses of the victims and raped them in Ga-Phaahla, Ga Marishane and Bothaspruit villages. In another incident, the mother was raped in the presence of her children. The accused was raping the victims with other unknown accomplice, and the victims could not identify them since they were committing these crimes while covering their faces with masks. The accused was linked through the DNA.
In aggravation of the sentence, state Adv. Shumani Tshishonga submitted that the accused was a serial rapist who was found guilty of serious offences and argued that he should be removed from society. He further submitted that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment on each count. The court agreed with the state and sentenced the accused to two life terms plus 50 years imprisonment.
The NPA welcomes the sentence, and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Ivy Thenga stands firm against the violence against women and children. The DPP further commended the good work done by advocate Tshishonga and investigating officer Sema from Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offence Unit in Polokwane.
