In a concerted effort to fight the scourge of sexual related crimes especially rapes, the South African Police Service in this Province continues to acquire heavy jail terms through the Dedicated and Professional investigations done by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.
The Thohoyandou High Court has sentenced a 35 year old Ofhani Magwaba to an effective three life sentences plus forty eight years imprisonment for a series of rape and robberies which occurred during 2009 and 2013 respectively.
The sentences were handed down as follows: Three life imprisonment for three counts of rape, 45 years for three counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, Three years for housebreaking with intent to rob and rape.
The Court heard that during November 2009 the said convict broke opened the house of a 56 year old woman, threatened her with a knife, raped her and robbed her from R500.00 cash.
In another incident, the accused came across a 68 year old granny along the street from the church, he threatened her with a knife, raped her and robbed her from R1000.00 cash.
Continuing with his reign of terror, the accused went to a certain local church in one of the villages near Thohoyandou at about 23:30. He found a 44 year old Pastor’s wife, her domestic worker and children, he stabbed the Pastor’s wife, raped her and the domestic worker inside the church, he also robbed them of their valuables including cell phones and cash.
The Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Nneke Ledwaba has applauded the Thohoyandou Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit members who worked so hard to ensure that this serial rapist is brought to book and subsequently given long jail terms.
This is a milestone achievement in the fight against incidents of rapes in this Province and we are determined to clean all the affected areas of any acts of criminality especially rapes. We urge members of the community to continue supporting the police by giving quality and reliable information at all times, concluded General Ledwaba.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
