By Staff Reporter
GROBLERSDAL-The Groblersdal Regional Court in Limpopo has sentenced Sifiso Johannes Mahlangu (28) from Sehlakwana village in Zaaiplaas to life imprisonment for the rape of a 101-year-old woman.
He was also sentenced to an additional three years’ imprisonment for housebreaking with the intent to commit an offense.
The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, resulting in an effective sentence of life imprisonment.
The court heard that on 27 July 2024, at Zaaiplaas, he broke into the victim’s home, raped her, and fled.
He was later linked to the offense through DNA evidence and subsequently arrested. Mahlangu had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the aggravation of the sentence, State Prosecutor Sifiso Miya presented a Victim Impact Report compiled by social worker Khomolo Mufunwa, together with a pre-sentence report.
The reports highlighted the severe psychological and emotional trauma suffered by the elderly victim, who no longer feels safe in her own home and has developed a fear of men.
The prosecutor argued that Mahlangu is a sexual predator who deliberately preyed on a vulnerable and defenceless member of society, stressing that there were no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify deviating from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.
“All cases of sexual violence encroach on the rights to dignity and privacy of victims as enshrined in our Constitution,” said the NPA’s Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, Advocate Ivy Thenga.
“The NPA is committed to aggressively prosecuting these cases.” She further commended Prosecutor Miya and Investigating Officer Warrant Officer Phala of the Groblersdal Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for their dedication in securing justice for the victim.”
