Ga-Marishane man sentenced to two life imprisonment

GA MARISHANE

A serial rapist was handed a hefty sentence by the Nebo Magistrate’s Court on July 11. Pitso Tswane (33), from Ga Marishane village was sentenced to two life imprisonment for rape of an adult person and for attempting to commit sexual assault on a 13-year-old girl. He was further sentenced to 50 years for two counts of housebreaking with intent to rape. The accused pleaded not guilty.
The court heard that between August 12,2012 and February 13, 2019, the accused would break into the houses of the victims and raped them in Ga-Phaahla, Ga Marishane and Bothaspruit villages.
In one of the incidents, the mother was raped in the presence of her children.
Tswane was raping the victims with other unknown accomplice, and the victims could not identify them since they were committing these crimes while covering their faces with masks.
The accused was linked through the DNA.
In aggravation of the sentence, state Adv. Shumani Tshishonga submitted that the accused was a serial rapist who was found guilty of serious offences and argued that he should be removed from society.
He further submitted that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment on each count.
The court agreed with the state and sentenced the accused to two life terms plus 50 years imprisonment. Limpopo NPA welcomed the sentence, and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Ivy Thenga said she stands firm against the violence against women and children. She commended the good work done by Tshishonga and investigating officers