Tumelo Malatji gets two life terms for rape
The Nkowankowa Regional Court sentenced a 37-year-old man to two life sentences and an additional 17 years on three counts of rape, kidnapping, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on Friday, November 10.
The court heard that between 2014 and 2015, Tumelo Doctor Malatji targeted women returning from taverns in the Bolobedu area. He forced them to secluded areas at knifepoint where he raped them. One of his victims was a 15-year-old girl who was in the company of friends on Christmas Day.
She was on her way home when she came across the Malatji who assaulted her and forcefully took her to a river and raped her more than once. She was threatened with a knife and was told not to report the matter to anyone. The accused was unknown to the complainant and in the community.
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“Malatji pleaded not guilty to all the charges claiming consent from all his victims,” said Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, NPA regional spokesperson in Limpopo. She said the regional court prosecutor, Mpho Mehlape, led the testimonies of the victims and medical reports indicating the injuries sustained by the victims.
“The evidence was also supported by DNA results. The victims expressed the humiliation they suffered as a result of the ordeal. In arguing for sentence, the state asked for a harsh sentence to deter would be offenders from committing similar offenses,” she said.
