Man Handed Life Imprisonment For Sexually Assaulting Aunt

A 22-year-old man from Limpopo has meted a life sentence in connection with the rape of his 62-year-old aunt that occurred on Nov. 17, 2017. The decision was handed down by the Lebowakgomo regional court. The man was identified as Sipho Eric Tsoai who is accused of raping his aunt whose identity was not divulged.

Based on the statement made by Limpopo National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, the woman was asleep that night when Tsoai came knocking at her home door. The 22-year-old alleged that there were thieves in the kraals in the same yard.

The nephew asked to borrow his aunt’s mobile phone to serve as a torch so that he could hunt down intruders. The woman gave her cellphone, put on some clothes and accompanied her nephew.

But as they were going towards the kraal, Tsoai grabbed his aunt by the throat and pushed her to the ground. She was hit on the head with a certain object and lost consciousness.

When she regained consciousness, the aunt was surprised to find herself naked and finding her nephew on top of her. After the rape, the woman told Tsoai that she was hungry and thirsty. The 22-year-old went to his aunt’s home to get something, allowing the woman to escape and seek help from neighbors.

Tsoai pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him and denied that he raped his aunt. Tsoai alleged that the sex was consensual.

Unfortunately, this was not enough to convince the court and the 22-year-old was convicted of rape.

“The NPA welcomes the sentence and hopes it will send a clear message that gender-based violence will not be tolerated,” Limpopo director of public prosecutions, Advocate Ivy Thenga, stated.

It was one of several cases over in Limpopo, the other being the case of three men found guilty of raping two minors. The Mankweng Regional Court sentenced Ga-Dikgale to two life sentences for raping a 12-year-old that happened in December 2015.

Social Development MEC in Limpopo Nkakareng Rakgoale was satisfied with the handling of the cases, seen as a step towards restoring public trust in the country’s justice system in dealing with gender-based violence.