Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga lauded investigating officer Detective Warrant Officer Luthando Mthyobile of the Grahamstown Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offence Unit and all those involved for securing the hefty sentence handed down to Mojalefa Rampai (21) in the Grahamstown High Court on Monday 3 August 2020.
On the night of 7 December 2019, both the victim and the accused were at a party. The victim decided to walk to a nearby tavern and the accused offered to escort her. On the way, the accused dragged her into the bushes and threatened to stab and kill her if she screamed. He then raped her. As she struggled to get to her feet, he struck her several times on her head and face with a panga. She sustained deep facial and head wounds and also gynecological injuries.
The accused who hails from Free State was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and 15 years imprisonment for attempted murder. Both sentences will run concurrently.
During an interview with the investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Luthando Mthyobile, he stated “I have a passion to seek justice for victims of gender based violence. This sentence may not reverse this cruel incidents but I believe, it will bring comfort and a certain degree of closure to the survivors and their families. My sincere gratitude to my team including the Director of Public Prosecutions for the amazing support and guidance throughout the investigation.”
As reported in the media, Acting Judge Miki Mfenyana said when handing down sentence, “The complainant was raped by the accused in circumstances where she thought she was safe in his company. He was supposed to be a friend and a safe escort and instead he attacked her in the most brutal way possible. She now bears physical, emotional and psychological scars which are likely to be lifelong.”
Lt Gen Ntshinga reiterated, “This sentence serves to send out a clear message to perpetrators of gender based violence, that the SAPS will continue to work unstintingly until justice is served for victims and survivors. I urge the community and the victims who have remained silent to become vocal and work with the entire criminal justice system to fight this scourge that is plaguing our society.”
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