DULLSTROOM — A 28-year-old man has been sentenced to two life terms for raping a woman and her 10-year-old daughter at their home in December 2022.
Gordon Mabuza was sentenced by the Belfast Regional Court after being convicted of two counts of rape, attempted murder, and housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery.
The attack occurred on 23 December 2022 when Mabuza entered the victims’ home through a window while they were sleeping in separate rooms.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mabuza raped the mother and stabbed her several times. He also threatened to kill her if she reported the crime before entering her daughter’s room and raping the child, who later lost consciousness.
The mother managed to seek help from a neighbour, and both victims were taken to hospital.
The child was discharged after three days, while her mother remained hospitalised for approximately two weeks due to her injuries.
Mabuza denied the charges during the trial. However, the State, led by prosecutor Makhosonke Mashinini, presented witness testimony, DNA evidence linking him to the offences and J88 medical evidence.
The court accepted the State’s evidence and convicted him.
In aggravation of sentence, Mashinini highlighted the brutality of the attack, the child’s vulnerability and the violation of the victims’ dignity and right to feel safe in their own home.
Mabuza was sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the two rape counts, 15 years for attempted murder and 12 months for housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery.
He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and unsuitable to work with children. The court further ordered that his particulars be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
NPA regional spokesperson Monica Nyuswa welcomed the sentence, saying women and children have the right to feel safe in their homes and that perpetrators must be held accountable.
Mpumalanga Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise commended the investigating detectives, prosecution team and other role-players involved in securing the conviction.
“SAPS remains committed to protecting women and children and will continue to ensure that perpetrators of serious and violent crimes are brought to justice,” Modise said.
