The Atteridgeville regional court sentenced two men accused of rape to life imprisonment. Getwin Moloto, 30, and Lebohang Makola, 35, from Atteridgeville were both handed life imprisonment sentences for raping a 19-year-old lesbian.
The incident happened on 16 December 2020 when the victim was trying to open the gate at her home. Moloto, who lived near the victim’s home along with Makola and another person who has not been arrested, attacked the victim and carried her to a shack where she was raped.
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Lumka Mahanjana, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, said that, while Moloto was raping the victim he kept asking why she was taking their women. “Makola asked the victim to be his girlfriend. After the ordeal, the victim asked if she could use the outside toilet, and they agreed, but only allowed her to wear her pants. She managed to flee to her home, situated a few houses away, and related her ordeal to her mother.”
Mahanjana said a case of rape was opened following the incident and the victim was taken for medical examination. “The victim’s underwear was found in Moloto’s yard. Moloto was linked to the crime after the victim identified him. He later pointed out Makola and his co-accused.”
Mahanjana stated that prosecutor Paulina Mochaka advised the court docket that the victim suffered because of her sexuality which influenced the offence. “Mochaka said the victim and Moloto were neighbours. He was expected to protect her, but chose to take advantage of her with his friends. Mochaka then asked the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence.
Advocate Sibongile Mzinyathi, the Director of Public Prosecutions, argued that crimes influenced by hatred against LGBTQI will not be tolerated.
Source: News24, The Wall, image from News24
