Double life sentence handed down for rape and murder of TVET college student

South African Police Service

Double life sentence handed down for rape and murder of TVET college student
Double life sentence handed down for rape and murder of TVET college student

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the double life sentence handed down by the Limpopo Division of the High Court in Polokwane yesterday, 11 June 2021 against Aubrey Manaka (29) for raping and brutally murdering the then TVET College student, Precious Ramabulana.

The accused was also sentenced to 8 years imprisonment for housebreaking with the intention to rape and 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances.

He pleaded guilty to all four counts. The sentences will run concurrently.

The trial court found that the accused had in the early hours of Sunday morning, 24 November 2019, burgled into the victim’s rented room at ga-Joel Section in Mokomene under Botlokwa policing area. He started attacking her and then stabbed her many times. He also raped and took her cellphone before fleeing from the scene.

The victim’s frantic screams were heard by the neighbour who called the police.

The case was assigned to Detective Captain Magezi Nkuna and a Task Team comprising members of Crime Intelligence, and Botlokwa detectives was assembled to hunt down the killer. The suspect was then arrested at his parental home in Nyakelang Village, Botlokwa on 28 November following an intensive manhunt. He was found with the deceased’s cellphone, his bloodstained clothes and a knife.

The SAPS Management in Limpopo has welcomed the sentence.” We are very pleased with the outcome and that justice has prevailed for the young victim, her family and the community at large. We equally commend the Investigating Officer and the team for cracking this case and also thank community members for assisting the police during the investigations,” concluded Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.

SAPS Newsroom

SOURCESouth African Police Service