BLOEMFONTEIN: A Bloemfontein man found guilty of drugging and raping a teenage girl has received a life sentence. The Bloemfontein Regional Court’s Sexual Offence unit sentenced the accused Thabo Mabote (34) to 25 years’ direct imprisonment on 5 August.
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was 13 years old at the time of the incident. It was revealed that Mabote was known to the victim, as they lived in the same area, the Phase 7 informal settlement, and the victim used to buy vegetables from him.
On 13 March 2022 the victim, together with her friend, visited Mabote at his place of residence. He reportedly offered them crystal meth to smoke.
State prosecutor Azola Key said the victim presented a compelling testimony, detailing the horrifying account of the ordeal of her drugging and rape over several days.
“The accused convinced her to smoke the drugs, telling her that a lot of people smoke it and that nothing would happen to her if she tried,” said Key.
“The victim, who had refused smoking the drugs, succumbed to his pursuance to smoke the substance.
“The victim testified she felt dizzy after smoking the drugs and then she woke up in bed next to the accused, and that her friend was no longer at his place.
“Mabote continued giving the victim drugs and, in the event, undressed her.
“The victim pleaded with the accused to not have sexual intercourse with her − without her consent and in the state she was in, being under the influence of drugs.
“Despite this plea, the accused proceeded to undress her and raped her,” said Key.
Evidence revealed that Mabote had locked the victim inside his shack dwelling for a few days, preventing her from escaping. Key said the accused had repeatedly drugged and raped the girl.
“The mother of the victim reported her child missing to the police, who then informed members of the community to assist in locating the child.”
Key said what was terrifying, was Mabote playing the role of an innocent man during the search for the victim.
“He also gave his assurance to the mother of the victim that he would assist in locating her. “
“The victim managed to escape from Mabote’s place after noticing he had left. She ran to her mother and informed her of what had happened.”
Key confirmed Magistrate Mxolisi Saliwa had ordered that Mabote’s details be included in the National Register for Sex Offenders, in addition to him serving a life sentence and being declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Mabote’s sentencing was the culmination of probing by Sgt Sandisiwe von Willing of the Mangaung Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit.
Evidence gathered led to this successful prosecution by Key, while the trial and sentence proceedings were presided over by Saliwa.
