MALETSWAI – A 20-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape of an 84-year-old woman in Maletswai, formerly Aliwal North.

Tshepo Majela was sentenced by the Maletswai Regional Court following his conviction for the rape, which occurred on 7 October 2023.

According to the Eastern Cape National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional Spokesperson Luxolo Tyali, the evidence before the court established that the elderly victim had secured her home and gone to sleep, leaving the light on.

“During the night, she awoke after hearing the light being switched off and found an unknown man standing over her with a knife pressed against her throat,” he said.

Tyali added that the accused threatened the victim before dragging her from her bed and sexually assaulting her.

Despite his threats, the victim screamed for help and Majela then assaulted and stabbed her before fleeing the scene.

“At the time of the offence, the perpetrator was unknown to the victim, and the investigation initially yielded no leads,” he said. “A significant breakthrough was achieved when Majela was later arrested in connection with a robbery matter.”

Tyali added that during that investigation, a buccal sample (DNA collection) was obtained from him and submitted for forensic analysis.

“The resulting DNA profile matched DNA evidence obtained during the rape investigation,” he said. “Further forensic testing confirmed the match, leading to his arrest and prosecution on the rape charge.”

During sentencing proceedings, Tyali added that the State Prosecutor Anele Magibile argued that the seriousness of the offence, the advanced age and vulnerability of the victim, and the violent way the crime was committed justified the imposition of a severe sentence.

The State submitted that Majela violated the sanctity of the victim’s home, threatened her with a knife, and subjected her to a brutal sexual assault, leaving her traumatised and vulnerable in what should have been a place of safety.

He added that the prosecution further emphasised the devastating impact of sexual violence on victims, particularly elderly and vulnerable members of society, and urged the court to impose a sentence that reflected the gravity of the offence while serving the interests of justice and the community.

“The court agreed and sentenced Majela to life imprisonment,” Tyali said. “He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and ordered that his details be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.”

Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Samkelo Mtwana, welcomed the sentence and commended the prosecution and investigation teams for ensuring accountability despite the accused initially being unidentified.

“This sentence sends a strong message that the NPA will relentlessly pursue justice for victims of sexual offences, regardless of how much time has passed since the commission of the crime. The victim in this matter was particularly vulnerable due to her advanced age, and the brutality of the attack is deeply concerning,” said Mtwana. “We welcome the court’s decision to impose a life sentence, which appropriately reflects the seriousness of the offence and the need to protect vulnerable members of society.”

The NPA further commends State Prosecutor Anele Magibile and Detective Warrant Officer Mokheseng for their dedicated work in securing justice for the victim.

“The successful use of DNA evidence proved instrumental in identifying the perpetrator and linking him to the offence,” Tyali said. “The NPA remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that perpetrators of sexual offences, particularly those who target vulnerable members of society, are held accountable and that victims receive the justice they deserve.”

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