Thabo Mathibe from North West has been sentenced to life plus an additional 10 years by the Temba Magistrates Court. He raped  a 70-year-old gogo when he broke into her house. The incident happened in 2019 and It is said that Mathibe firstly assaulted the pensioner before raping her. He gained access to her home by breaking in and carried out his henious act in front of the gogo's grandchildren.

SAVED BY MPHAKATHI

The court heard that the gogo was saved by community members intervened after hearing the victim's cries, and caught Mathibe in the act.North West spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Henry Mamothame said Mathibe boldy harrassed the gogo in front of her two grandchildren  "He then dragged her outside the house while assaulting her and raped her. The neighbours heard her scream and rushed to her rescue. Mathibe was then apprehended on the scene and police were called to arrest him," said Mamothame.He said Mathibe had remained in police custody since 2019, up to the duration of the trial.

DIGNITY VIOLATED

The State Prosecutor, Tebogo Mosito, argued successfully for the court not to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence of life imprisonment. Mosito said the victim's right to dignity was violated and Magistrate Gilbert Sono agreed to this statement. "This conviction was made possible by the swift action of community members and such should re-enforce our advocacy against crime in our communities," he said.