Cape Town — The Sasolburg Regional Court sentenced 32-year-old Thabo Maseko to life imprisonment after he was convicted of raping and assaulting a homeless woman.
In September 2021, Maseko and an unknown co-perpetrator confronted the homeless woman, who was sitting by a fire to warm herself up, and berated her for being homeless. The two started taking advantage of the woman because she was defenceless, IOL reported.
“Realising that the victim was defenceless and homeless, they took advantage of her situation and began dragging her. They also started to assault the victim, accusing her of being some other woman they know named Sibongile,” said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Free State acting regional spokesperson, Mojalefa Senokoatsane.
Senokatsane said the woman pleaded desparately for her life and reiterated that she was not Sibongile. While still pleading for them to stop hounding her, the men then began raping her.
The woman went to a police station nearby to report the matter. The police were able to track and locate the accused and he was arrested with rape charges. Maseko’s attorneys argued that this was not the worst rape case the court heard and should stray from the maximum sentence, The Citizen reported.
“The Regional Court prosecutor Ntombi Marase argued that there was no better or worse rape, as rape is demeaning and an atrocious act.” Ntombi Marase said.
In sentencing, the court refused to accept the “flimsy” reason, stating there were no substantial and compelling circumstances, handing down the maximum sentence.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
