Life in jail for two Limpopo rapists who took turns assaulting passenger

In April 2019, the duo gave the woman a lift and then later stopped the car, threatened and took turns to rape her.

PRETORIA, June 24 (ANA) – Police in Limpopo province have welcomed the life sentences meted out by the Thabazimbi regional court to two convicted rapists aged 30 and 35.

Tumelo Mataboge and Luckyboy Rapula Motlhomi were found guilty of raping a 36-year-old woman in April 2019 after they had given her a lift late in the evening in Northam, Limpopo South African Police Service spokesman Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said in a statement.

“On the way, they drove to the secluded road at R510 Prospectus. After stopping the car, they then started to threaten the victim and both raped her,” said Mojapelo.

“The police who were patrolling the area as a reaction to numerous complaints of similar incidents emanating from the same area, came across a vehicle with two occupants speeding from the area and pulled it over. Further probe led to the discovery of the victim who immediately pointed the two men as the ones who had just raped her. They were immediately arrested.”

“The two men … were ultimately found guilty of raping the victim and were each sentenced to life imprisonment,” Mojapelo added.

Provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe saluted the investigating officers for their work and welcomed the life sentences.

“These sentences will strengthen our resolve to fight gender-based violence,” Hadebe said.

In April, the Mankweng regional court sentenced a 24-year-old man to life in jail for raping his 10-year-old cousin at a village in Ga-Dikgale.

– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa