young girl walmer

Police are seeking assistance to trace suspects who murdered a 10-year-old girl. Image via: Adobe Stock

Limpopo men sentenced to life for rape of 14-year-old

At the same time, a 27-year-old man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping a 21-year-old woman in Pulaseng Village, outside Tzaneen

young girl walmer

Police are seeking assistance to trace suspects who murdered a 10-year-old girl. Image via: Adobe Stock

Two men accused of raping a 14-year-old girl had the book thrown at them and sentenced to life behind bars, the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo has said.

24-year-old Dolphy Malatji and 26-year-old Johana Baloyi are said to have attacked the victim in April 2018 at a homestead in Tzaneen.

The pair appeared before the Lulekani Regional Court on Tuesday, 7 July 2020, where their fate was sealed.

“As the fight against crimes perpetrated against women and children is being intensified, the Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offenses Unit of the South African Police Service in the Province continues to acquire lengthy sentences against the perpetrators of this scourge. This after the Lulekani Regional Court, this week on 07 July 2020, condemned two heartless criminals to life imprisonment for raping a 14-year-old girl”, the SAPS said in a statement.

“The rapists, Dolphy Malatji aged 24 and Johana Baloyi aged 26 met the little girl on 24 April 2018 at about 16h00, walking along one of the streets at Nwamitwa village outside Tzaneen. They then suddenly dragged her into one of the convict’s homestead and both repeatedly raped her”

Meanwhile a 27-year-old man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping a 21-year-old woman in Pulaseng Village, outside Tzaneen.

“The meticulous investigations conducted by members of the FCS including forensic analysis that followed, made sure that the convicts will spend the rest of their lives behind bars”

Sentences Welcomed

The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has welcomed the sentences and has commended the outstanding work performed by the Tzaneen and Phalaborwa FCS unit in ensuring that the rapists are removed from the society.

“What pleases the most is that all these heartless criminals were never granted bail as they remained in custody until their incarceration this week. Justice has been served for the vulnerable members of our society”, General Ledwaba said.

The news comes the same week a man in Kimberley, Northern Cape also received a life sentence for rape. 33-year-old Mohau Assegaai also received 10 years for attempted rape and 15 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravated circumstances. This came after he pleaded guilty on all charges.

“The incident happened on 21 October 2019 at approximately 1am. The accused is known to the two victims and under false pretenses asked them to assist him with an urgent phone call as his grandmother needed medical attention. After making the phone call he then threatened them with a knife, assaulted them with fists and demanded money. The victims gave him a substantial amount of cash. He then raped the 79-year-old victim and attempted in raping the 76-year-old granny”, police said.