A woman’s ability to recognise her attacker by his voice played a crucial role in securing the conviction of a 28-year-old man who raped her and an 11-year-old child during a house invasion in Mankweng.
Raphela Nathaniel Thabang was sentenced to two life terms by the Mankweng Regional Court on 9 November 2026.
The attack happened in the early hours of 24 November 2019 at Mamadimo Park, where the 22-year-old woman and her young relative were sleeping when Thabang allegedly broke into their home through a window.
Armed with a panga, he threatened the victims, raped both and stole the woman’s cellphone before fleeing.
The woman recognised the attacker by his voice and reported the incident to police.
Following an investigation by Constable Tebogo Moholola of the Polokwane Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, Thabang was arrested and successfully prosecuted.
In addition to the two life sentences for rape, he received further prison terms for housebreaking, compelling a child to witness a sexual offence and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
Limpopo Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers welcomed the sentence and praised the investigating officer for securing justice for the victims.
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