Rapist Thabo Malematja from Belleview sentenced to life sentence for raping a teenager
By Agreement Mabunda
TZANEEN-The Tzaneen Regional court has on Wednesday, 13 December 2023 handed one life term imprisonment and an additional 15 years imprisonment to a 27 year-old male, Thabo Malematja in connection with the rape and robbery with aggravating circumstances that took place last year at Belleview village on 28 March 2022.
It is reported that at about 11:00, an 18 year-old female victim was on her way to buy food at the new stands when she passed an unknown male sitting on the ground. On her way back from the shop, she found Thabo at the same spot and walked passed him.
She was followed and unexpectedly grabbed by the neck before being threatened with a knife. The victim walked with Thabo to the bushes next to the river and she was raped on their arrival.
Afterwards, the convict forced her to walk with him deep into the bushes. While walking, Thabo told the victim that he is not satisfied and she was instructed to undress her clothes.
An 18 year-old victim was raped for the second time while pointed with a the knife on the neck.
After the ordeal, the convict robbed the victim R150.00 in cash and released her to go home.
Furthermore, the victim was warned not to tell anyone and threatened to be hunted down and killed if she does not comply.
The victim went home and informed her family about the incident which was immediately reported at the Belleview Satellite police station.
A rape case was opened and immediately transferred to Tzaneen Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.
Sergeant Glenda Mathebula was assigned to investigate the matter and through her determination, the suspect was subsequently apprehended the next day on 29 March 2022 while at his residence in Ga-Mamaila, Phaphadi village.
The convict was positively linked through a DNA analysis that included another rape case that occurred in Giyani policing area during December 2021.
The convict later admitted to the two offences and Sergeant Mathebula successfully managed to oppose bail application until his sentencing on Wednesday 13 December 2023.
Thabo Malematja was sentenced on the following counts:
* Count one – Rape – Life term imprisonment.
* Count two – Robbery with aggravating circumstances – 15 year imprisonment.
In addition, the court ordered that the sentences will run concurrently and the convict was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has applauded the permanent removal of the perpetrator from the society and complimented the sterling investigative abilities displayed by Sergeant Mathebula
