Odendaalsrus: The Welkom Regional Court sentenced Thansanqa Mzidi (20) to 15 years in jail and Donald Ledima Phogole (26) to life imprisonment for rape and sexual offence that occurred during 2015 in K9 Section Kutloanong, Odendaalsrus.

On Saturday, the 7 March 2015 at about 20:30 a woman who was 45- years-old then, left her residential place to meet someone to discuss business matters. When she arrived at the place, she found the house locked and decided to return to her home.

She decided to take a different route and took the main road as she thought it was the safest. While walking she saw two African males walking in the opposite direction. When they reached her, they both stood in front of her and grabbed her neck. The complainant was assaulted and taken by force.

They both took her to an open field in K9 Section of Kutloanong where they undressed her, took turns in raping her. After the rape ordeal, she was instructed to dress up and accompanied her because they wanted to know where she resides. She was left on the street she is residing and the suspects disappeared in the dark.

She reported the incident to her neighbours who took her to the police station to register a case of rape. The case was assigned to Detective Warrant Officer Moyane Monei of Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS). A thorough investigation was conducted which led to the arrests of the suspects.

The first accused Thamsanqa Mzidi (20) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 years in jail for rape by Welkom Regional Court during 2017.

The second accused Donald Ledima Phogole (26) was found guilty as charged on the 23 May 2022 in Welkom Regional Court and sentenced to life in jail for rape and 3 years in jail for sexual offence.

The District Commissioner of Lejweleputswa, Maj Gen Lerato Molale applauded the investigator Warrant Officer Monei for conducting a thorough investigation which led to this heavy sentence on these two rapists.

Source: South African Police Service