Duo sentenced by Mankweng Court for abuse of hitchhikers
Between April and October 2016, Tshepang Baholo and Andrew Mongalo offered rides to unsuspecting female hitchhikers which led to robbery and rape cases.
POLOKWANE –Â The Mankweng Regional Court has sentenced two men for the abuse of hitchhikers in 2016, bringing closure to a case that has drawn on for nearly eight years.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Limpopo announced on Monday that Tshepang Sydwell Baholo (37) from Nobody near Mankweng, has been sentenced to a total of 76 years in prison.
Baholo received 30 years for two counts of rape, 36 years for two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and 10 years for two counts of kidnapping.
His accomplice, Andrew Mongalo (29) from Polokwane, was sentenced to 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances and an additional five years for kidnapping.
The crimes, which occurred between April and October 2016, involved two separate incidents where the perpetrators offered rides to unsuspecting female hitchhikers. According to the NPA statement, in the first incident, a woman hitchhiked from Ga-Maboi to Polokwane, entering a sedan occupied by the two accused.
They abruptly stopped in a remote area, and robbed her of R380 in cash, a cellphone, and bank cards.
After attempting and failing to withdraw money with the cards, they tied her hands and feet before Baholo raped her.
The attackers threatened to set her alight, but she was rescued by a man hunting nearby.
The second victim was abducted from a bus stop, where the men offered her a lift in the same sedan.
Baholo brandished a firearm, took the woman to a secluded area, tied her up and raped her. He later used her bank card to buy R200 worth of petrol and took R450 in cash along with her cellphone.
During the trial, the state presented a J88 medical report, which corroborated the injuries sustained by both victims.
DNA evidence also confirmed that Baholo was the perpetrator in both rape cases. Additionally, the state called three witnesses, including forensic experts who analysed the DNA samples, to support the case against the accused.
NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the sentences reflect the seriousness of the crimes and serve as a deterrent to others.
