life prison rape robbery

A man was sentenced to life in prison for the rape or a 66-year-old woman and robbery.
Photo: Twitter / @SAPoliceService

NPA: Sangoma handed 10 years imprisonment for raping pregnant woman

A traditional healer was sentenced to 10 years in jail for rape. He told the victim he would help her avoid a miscarriage, said the NPA.

life prison rape robbery

A man was sentenced to life in prison for the rape or a 66-year-old woman and robbery.
Photo: Twitter / @SAPoliceService

A 27-year-old man was sentenced to 10 years direct imprisonment for rape by the Phokeng Regional Court on Friday, 28 January. The court heard how Ratang William Moitshodi approached the pregnant victim under the guise of helping her prevent a miscarriage.

NPA PUTS RAPIST TRADITIONAL HEALER BEHIND BARS

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in the North West Henry Mamothame said the accused approached the victim in Lefaragatlha Village on 26 January 2019.

Moitshodi introduced himself to the victim – who was with her sister – as a prophet. He told her that he had premonitions about her pregnancy and that she may suffer a miscarriage. She was eight months pregnant at the time.

“Subsequently, he convinced the victim to accompany him to his place where they will perform a ritual to save the life of the unborn baby.

“Out of fear of losing her second child as she had previously miscarried, she then agreed for a ritual to be performed,” said Mamothame.

Moitshodi took the victim to his house. He laid a “sangoma cloth” on the ground and told the victim to take her clothes off. She complied and he rubbed muthi on her belly for a short while before moving his hands to her genitals.

“In her testimony, she told the court that Moitshodi took off his pants raped her.  She reported the matter to the police and the accused was arrested on 27 January 2019,” said the NPA spokesperson.

The State urged the court to consider the way the accused manipulated the victim and instilled fear in a vulnerable woman who did not want to lose a child.

Magistrate Segakweng Moeng said the criminal justice system has a responsibility to protect vulnerable women and children, according to the NPA.

The accused was sentenced to a decade in prison.

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