The Welkom Regional Court has sentenced Donald Ledima Phogole, 26, to life imprisonment for raping and sexually assaulting a woman seven years ago in the K9 Section of Kutloanong in Odendaalsrus.
His co-accused, Thansanqa Mzidi, 20, was given a 15-year jail term in 2017.
The two were found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting the woman, then 45, on March 7, 2015 at about 20:30.
The court heard that the woman left her house to meet someone to discuss business.
But when she arrived at the place, she found the house locked and decided to return to her home.
Police spokesperson for the area, Captain Stephen Thakeng, said she decided to take a different route and used the main road as she thought it was safer.
“While walking she saw two (men) walking in the opposite direction,” said Thakeng in a statement.
“When they reached her, they both stood in front of her and grabbed her by the neck. The complainant was (assulted) and taken by force . . . to an open field in K9 Section of Kutloanong where they undressed her and took turns to rape her,” he added.
After the rape, she was instructed to dress up and they accompanied her because they wanted to know where she resides.
When they reached her street, the pair disappeared into the dark.
She told her neighbours about the incident and was immediately taken to the police where she opened a case of rape.
Mzidi pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 years in jail for rape by the Welkom Regional Court in 2017.
Phogole was found guilty on May 23, 2022 by the Welkom Regional Court and sentenced to life in jail for rape and three years in jail for sexual assault.
Lejweleputswa district police commissioner Major General Lerato Molale applauded the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Moyane Monei, for conducting a thorough investigation which led to the heavy sentences on the two rapists.
Meanwhile, the Odendaalsrus Regional Court has sentenced Itumeleng Samuel Tolo, 32, to 30 years’ imprisonment for raping a minor in the K6 Section of Kutloanong on September 11, 2021 at about 19:00.
The 10-year-old girl was playing with her friends on the street when a man, who was her neighbour, grabbed her and forcefully took her to the graveyard.
He strangled and slapped her and told her that he will kill her if she did not do as he said.
He proceeded to rape the child and left her at the scene.
The child walked home and reported to her parents who took her to the police station to register a case of rape.
Detective Sergeant Mabote Lebone of the police’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit investigated the matter.
Tolo was found guilty as charged and was sentenced to 30 years direct imprisonment. – Staff Reporter