KROONSTAD – A seven-year crime spree ended with multiple convictions when serial rapist Mofihli Alloycyas Tshabalala (38) of Gelukwaarts in Maokeng was found guilty and sentenced for heinous crimes committed against elderly women in the Kroonstad area.
Free State Provincial Commissioner Lt. Gen. Baile Motswenyane applauded the extensive work done by the investigating officer, WO Derrick De Gouveia, working together with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) office, led by prosecutor Ntabeseng Motshabi. Their efforts ensured that Magistrate Sibongile Matambeka closed the 16 Days of Activism against Women and Children Abuse on a high note by ending serial rapist Tshabalala’s pattern of attacks against elderly women from 2012 to 2019. He was linked to all cases through DNA evidence.
First incident (21 June 2012)
A 70-year-old victim testified that at approximately 11:30, whilst returning home with a friend after chopping wood near Maokeng, they were approached by an unknown man.
The suspect attempted to fight with her friend, but the friend managed to escape. He produced a knife, threatened the complainant to remain quiet or be killed, instructed her to undress, raped her, and fled.
Second incident (28 April 2016)
A 60-year-old victim testified that at approximately 13:00, whilst with her aunt at Gelukwaarsts Cemetery, an unknown man approached them carrying a knife.
The suspect instructed her aunt to sit down, ordered the complainant to undress and remain quiet or face death, and raped her. Following the assault, he robbed both women of their mobile phones before fleeing.
Third incident (19 July 2017)
The court heard how at approximately 10:00, a 78-year-old victim was returning home from tending her cattle near Maokeng when she was approached by an unknown man who pulled her to a tree in an open field.
He produced a knife, threatened to kill her if she made noise, instructed her to undress, and raped her. After the assault, he fled the scene.
The victim managed to identify her assailant, who was arrested on 20 July the same year. He was released on bail and, reportedly, continued terrorising elderly women near Gelukwaarts.
Fourth Incident (11 June 2019)
A 65-year-old victim testified that whilst cutting grass with her next-door neighbour in an open field near Maokeng, they were approached by an unknown man.
The suspect produced a knife, instructed her neighbour to leave, forced the complainant to undress, raped her, and fled.
Sentencing
Mofihli Alloycyas Tshabalala was found guilty on 10 December and sentenced as follows:
- Count 1: 10 years’ imprisonment for rape
- Count 2: 10 years’ imprisonment for rape
- Count 3: 15 years’ imprisonment for robbery
- Count 4: 15 years’ imprisonment for robbery
- Count 5: 10 years’ imprisonment for rape
- Count 6: Life imprisonment for rape
- Count 7: 15 years’ imprisonment for robbery
Justice served
The commissioner reiterated that the splendid work done by De Gouveia ensured that Tshabalala would remain in prison, where he will never again terrorise the elderly women of Gelukwaarts and nearby townships.
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