By Staff Reporter
POLOKWANE– The Limpopo High Court sitting in Polokwane has sentenced William Ramoadi Minyuku (42) from Mshongo village in Zebediela to five life terms and an additional 165 years’ imprisonment on 23 charges, including rape, housebreaking, kidnapping, and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, resulting in an effective life sentence. Minyuku was further declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.
Despite pleading not guilty, evidence revealed that between March 2011 and April 2017, Minyuku terrorised residents of Sehlabeng, Hlakano, and Mshongo villages.
He broke into homes and attacked women and children on the streets, threatening them with a knife before raping and robbing them of belongings such as money and cellphones. His reign of terror ended when he was positively linked to the crimes through DNA evidence.
In aggravation of sentence, State Advocate Muneiwa Ratshibvumo submitted Victim Impact Statements (VIS) compiled by court preparation officer Morongwe Moifo. Victims described the profound psychological, emotional, and physical trauma they endured. Some were forced to relocate to other villages due to the loss of security and dignity.
The State argued that Minyuku deliberately preyed on society’s most vulnerable women and children and that harsh sentences were the only appropriate response. The court agreed, finding no substantial or compelling circumstances to deviate from prescribed minimum sentences.
Welcoming the outcome, the Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, Adv. Ivy Thenga said, “Each successful prosecution is the culmination of months and even years of painstaking investigative and prosecutorial work and reflects the many similar cases successfully prosecuted daily.”
She commended Advocate Ratshibvumo and Sergeant Mokgaetsi Sema of the Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation Unit for their dedication and professionalism in bringing the perpetrator to justice.
