Key Takeaways
- Mofihli Tshabalala, a 38-year-old man, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping and robbing elderly women between 2012 and 2018.
- The crimes were characterized by intimidation and the use of a knife, with Tshabalala deliberately targeting vulnerable elderly women in the Maokeng area.
- DNA evidence linked Tshabalala to all the cases against him, and survivor testimonies revealed repeated violent attacks.
- The court convicted Tshabalala on multiple counts of rape and robbery, imposing a life sentence and concurrent terms.
- The National Prosecuting Authority commended the prosecution and police investigation teams for their professionalism and dedication in securing justice for the victims.
Introduction to the Case
The Kroonstad Regional Court in the Free State has sentenced a 38-year-old man, Mofihli Tshabalala, to life imprisonment for a series of heinous crimes committed against elderly women between 2012 and 2018. The crimes, which included rape and robbery, were characterized by intimidation and the use of a knife, with Tshabalala deliberately targeting vulnerable elderly women in the Maokeng area. The South African Police Service (Saps) said that DNA evidence linked Tshabalala to all the cases against him, and survivor testimonies revealed a pattern of repeated violent attacks.
Pattern of Targeting Vulnerable Elderly Women
Tshabalala’s crimes were marked by a disturbing pattern of targeting elderly, vulnerable women in the Maokeng area. The victims, aged between 60 and 78, were often approached by Tshabalala while they were alone or with a friend, and were threatened with a knife if they did not comply with his demands. In one incident, a 78-year-old victim was on her way home from tending to her cattle when Tshabalala approached her and pulled her to a tree in an open field. He took out a knife and told her to keep quiet, or he would kill her, before instructing her to undress and raping her.
Survivor Testimonies
Survivor testimonies revealed the traumatic experiences of the victims, who were subjected to repeated violent attacks by Tshabalala. In a separate incident, a 70-year-old woman told the court that she was returning home with a friend after chopping wood when Tshabalala approached them. He tried to fight the friend, but the friend ran away, and Tshabalala then took out a knife and told the woman to be quiet, or he would kill her. He instructed her to undress, proceeded to rape her, and left her there. Another victim, a 60-year-old woman, testified that she was raped at Gelukwaarsts cemetery while she was with her aunt. Tshabalala approached them with a knife in hand and instructed her aunt to sit down, before instructing the complainant to undress and threatening to kill her if she made a noise.
Investigation and Prosecution
The National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said that the state presented extensive evidence against Tshabalala, including a compelling Victim Impact Statement compiled by court preparation officer Jabulani Tshabalala. Prosecutor Ntabeseng Motshabi argued for a life sentence, demonstrating Tshabalala’s pattern of preying on elderly women over an extended period, his lack of remorse, and the danger he poses to society. The court convicted Tshabalala on multiple counts of rape and robbery, imposing a life sentence and concurrent terms. The court also declared Tshabalala unfit to possess a firearm.
Sentence and Aftermath
The court ordered that the smaller sentences run concurrently with the life sentence, ensuring that Tshabalala will spend the rest of his life behind bars. The National Prosecuting Authority commended the prosecution and police investigation teams for their professionalism and dedication in securing justice for the victims. The case highlights the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly elderly women, from violence and exploitation. As Senokoatsane said, "Communities must be safe environments for women, children, and all vulnerable individuals, free from violence and exploitation." The sentence serves as a warning to those who would prey on the vulnerable, and a message of hope and justice for the survivors of Tshabalala’s brutal crimes.
