Rape and robbery suspect gets hefty sentence

MAGATLE – Solly Koos Moganedi (40) was convicted and sentenced on charges of rape and robbery with aggravating circumstances by the Thabamoopo Regional Court on Tuesday, 31 October.

The accused’s sentencing follows his arrest for rape of a 16 year-old girl on 16 April 2017 at Magatle Village at about 04:00 in the morning.

The court heard that the victim was alone at home after her mother left to the cemetery for candlelight when the accused, who happened to be her mother’s boyfriend, forcefully broke into the victim’s house and threatened her to comply or he would stab her with a knife. He then ordered the girl to undress and raped her. Afterwards, he robbed her of two cellphones and fled the scene.

Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, Limpopo Provincial Police spokesperson, said the incident was reported to the police, who opened cases of rape and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

Mashaba further said the case was sent to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in Mokopane for further investigations and Sergeant Billy Mogale was tasked to investigate. He indicated that the accused was linked with DNA and arrested in June 2020.

“The investigating officer managed to oppose bail until the accused was found guilty. The accused was convicted and sentenced on the following charges, count 1 of rape, life imprisonment, count 2 of robbery with aggravating circumstances, 15 years. Both sentences will run concurrently. He was declared unfit to possess a firearm and his particulars were to be included in the National Register for Sexual Offences.

The Provincial Commissioner of South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe welcomed the sentence handed down accused. “This sentence sends a clear message that crime does not pay. As parents, it is our responsibility to protect and secure our children, not to leave them unattended,” concluded Hadebe.