SERIAL RAPIST OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS SENTENCED.
The Regional Court of Sibasa-sentenced Victor Madia (40), from Tshakhuma to life imprisonment for a count of rape of an adult that was raped multiple times, 20 years for each of two counts of rape and 10 years imprisonment for two counts of theft. The court further ordered that all sentences should run concurrently with the count one of rape. The accused pleaded not guilty to the offences and the state led evidence of the witnesses, they testified amongst other things that between August and October 2018 at the University of Venda at Thohoyandou, the accused would threaten the victims with dangerous weapons and forcefully take them to the UNIVEN bushes and raped them, before taking their belongings.
The first victim was raped multiple times, and the accused was intending on furthering to rape her, however, she was rescued by police officers who found them along the way and the accused fled from the police. The other two victims were raped once. The accused was unknown to the victims, however, a few days after the incident, one of the victims met and recognised him at the shopping complex in Thohoyandou. The victim requested assistance from the security officers and the police officers were summoned and the accused was arrested. He was linked to other rape cases through forensic evidence.
In aggravation of sentence, State Advocate Steven Muavha argued that the court should give a deterrence sentence to the accused who is a subsequent offender, which proves that he was not deterred by his previous convictions and sentence. The state advocate placed it on record that the accused was not remorseful, and as such, the maximum sentence has to be imposed. The presiding officer, Mabitsela Daniel remarked that the accused preyed on his innocent victims, and he was not remorseful and unruly during the proceedings. He further said that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances that may render the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence.
The NPA welcomes the sentence, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Ivy Thenga hopes that this sentence will serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders. The DPP further commended the good work done by advocate Muavha and investigating officer, detective Nemaxwi from Thohoyandou Family Violence and Sexual Offence Unit.
