MIDDELBURG – The Middelburg High Court has convicted and sentenced Xolani Sebothoma (24) from Dennilton to three life terms and an additional 65 years’ imprisonment for multiple counts of rape committed in the Nkangala district between July 2019 and February 2020.
The accused pleaded guilty to the charges and was subsequently convicted on four counts of rape, assault, housebreaking, and robbery with aggravating circumstances. On July 1, 2019, the complainant was walking with her friends in the vicinity of Moteti, Dennilton, when confronted by the accused, who told them they were making noise. The complainant’s friends ran away, and the accused grabbed the victim, dragged her to an empty RDP house, and raped her. On the very same day, another complainant alighted from a bus and went to the hiking spot. While waiting, the accused emerged and asked for R15 from the complainant. He then dragged the victim to a hidden spot, assaulted her, and raped her multiple times. He fled the scene with the complainant’s cell phone and money.
On September 16, 2019, Sebothoma broke into another complainant’s house, assaulted her, raped her, and robbed her of her cell phone and sneakers. His rape spree came to light on September 11, 2020, when he entered a house in Moteti and found the complainant sleeping with her boyfriend. He produced a firearm, dragged the complainant to the living room, and raped her multiple times. He then fled the house with the victim’s cell phones. The complainant reported her ordeal and was able to identify the accused to the police, leading to his subsequent arrest. Buccal swabs were taken and linked him to other crimes.
Senior State Advocate Themba Lusenga addressed the court, stating that rape is a repulsive crime, an invasion of the private and intimate zone of a woman, striking at the core of her personhood and dignity. He further told the court that the accused did not show remorse, requesting the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence on the accused.
Victim impact statements compiled by Court Preparation Officer Betty Masango, detailing the pain and suffering caused by the accused in the victims’ lives, were presented in court. Judge Kgankie Phahlamohlako found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. He sentenced the accused to three life terms and 65 years’ imprisonment.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it will continue to pursue justice for the victims of gender-based violence. “We applaud the work done by the prosecution and other stakeholders in securing the conviction,” said NPA spokesperson Monica Nyuswa.
