A 28-year-old man from Sesalong village has been sentenced to an effective 20 years in prison for raping a 95-year-old woman.
Limpopo National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mashudu Malabi said the Polokwane High Court sentenced the man to 20 years for rape and a further eight years for housebreaking with intent to rape. The sentences will run concurrently.
The court also ordered that the accused’s name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders, while his identity was withheld to protect the victim and prevent further victimisation.
Malabi said the accused pleaded guilty under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Act and admitted that he knew the victim as the grandmother of his friend.
The court heard that on 4 October 2025, the accused went to the woman’s home in Sesalong village looking for his friend.
After finding the doors unlocked, he entered the house and found the 95-year-old woman alone.
He told her that he wanted to have sexual intercourse with her, but she refused.
The accused then overpowered and raped her twice before fleeing the scene.
Community members apprehended him the following day and handed him over to police.
Malabi said DNA evidence subsequently linked the accused to the crime.
During sentencing proceedings, State Advocate Lerato Mohlaka handed in a Victim Impact Statement facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Morongwe Moifo.
The statement detailed the profound emotional impact the attack had on the elderly woman.
She said she felt humiliated, disgraced and deeply disrespected, particularly because she regarded the accused as a great-grandchild.
The prosecution argued that the accused’s reliance on intoxication, youthfulness and remorse did not amount to substantial and compelling circumstances to justify a lesser sentence.
The State had urged the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment, stressing that elderly people are among the most vulnerable members of society and deserve the full protection of the law.
Malabi said Limpopo Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Ivy Thenga welcomed the sentence and reaffirmed the NPA’s commitment to securing justice for victims of gender-based violence and femicide.
“This sentence affirms the NPA’s unwavering commitment to securing justice for victims of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, particularly the most vulnerable members of our society,” Thenga said.
She said crimes of this nature violate the dignity, safety and fundamental rights of victims and cannot be tolerated.
Thenga commended Mohlaka, the investigating officer and all stakeholders involved in the successful prosecution of the case.
The NPA said it remained committed to combating gender-based violence and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.
