Lebowakgomo Regional Court sentences 22-year-old man to life imprisonment
Sipho Eric Tsoai was found guilty of raping his 62-year-old aunt in 2017.
LIMPOPO – Sipho Eric Tsoai appeared in the Lebowakgomo Regional Court yesterday, facing a charge of rape.
Tsoai was found guilty of the rape of his 62-year-old aunt on 11 November 2017, on her yard in one of the villages in the Zebediela area.
The Director of Public Prosecutions’ Regional Spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, said in a statement that Tsoai’s aunt was asleep in her house when Tsoai came to knock at 03:00.
“He told her that there were thieves in the kraals which were situated in the same yard. Tsoai requested his aunt to borrow him her cellphone so that he could use its torch to check for the intruders. The victim opened the door and gave him the phone. He went away for a few minutes and came back and told her that there were indeed thieves in the kraal,” she explained.
The court heard that the victim put on her clothes to accompany him to the kraal to check on her sheep and goats.
“On their way to the kraal, Tsoai grabbed her by her throat and pushed her to the ground before hitting her with his fists on the forehead. She lost consciousness, and when she regained consciousness, she found herself in Tsoai’s bedroom, naked and with him on top of her,” she added.
Malabi-Dzhangi said after the aunt noticed that she was raped, she told Tsoai she was thirsty and hungry.
“She asked him to get her food and water. He got off of her and went to her house to fetch food and water. After Tsoai had left, the victim ran to her neighbours for help. They wrapped her with a towel as she was naked. She had injuries on her private parts and on her forehead,” Malabi-Dzhangi explained.
Tsoai pleaded not guilty to the charge and denied the rape, claiming it was consensual.
“The old woman denied his version and told the court that her husband died 15 years ago and that she had never had sex since. The court rejected Tsoai’s version and convicted him of rape,” she said.
Malabi-Dzhangi added that the Victim Impact Report, compiled by a social worker, was submitted to court to demonstrate the impact the rape had on the woman.
“It stated that the woman is now scared to sleep alone and often has nightmares. The state prosecutor, Bertha Kotsedi, argued for a life term imprisonment as the victim’s right to privacy was violated. She further told the court that Tsoai took advantage of the vulnerability of the old woman. The old woman was forced to run naked into the street to ask for help. She asked the court to remove Tsoai from society, as he has no respect for elderly people,” she said.
The DPP’s Ivy Thenga welcomed the sentence.
“The sentence will serve as a deterrent to all those who continue to take advantage of innocent women, children and vulnerable groups,” Thenga concluded.
Also read: Limpopo: Double life sentence for uncle who raped his niece (12)
