One year after the brutal rape of a year 33-year-old survivor, her attacker has been sentenced.
The Parys Regional Court has sentenced Futhi Mbaso Hlongwane, 30, to life imprisonment after convicting him of rape.
In aggravation of sentence, the court also considered a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) facilitated by the Court Preparation Officer, Sellwane Lenkoane.
The state prosecutor, Cholohelo Tlhaloane argued extensively that Hlongwane posed a serious danger to society and deserved a sentence that reflected the severity of his crime.
The court agreed and imposed a life sentence. The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The court heard that on the evening of 04 February 2024, the 33-year-old survivor was walking home from a church service in Tumahole when she was accosted by the accused.
Hlongwane grabbed and overpowered her before raping her twice.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane indicated that the survivor managed to escape and ran to a nearby house, where the police were contacted.
“While being transported in a police vehicle to formally open a case, officers received a report of a community assault incident in Zuma Section. Upon arrival, the survivor immediately identified Hlongwane as her attacker by his clothing, voice, Zulu accent, and a distinct bite mark on his left-hand finger.
“The accused was arrested on the scene. The state successfully opposed his bail application, and he was remanded in custody until the conclusion of the matter,” said Senokoatsane.
The state led compelling evidence, including the medical examination report (J88), the survivor’s statement, and the accused’s own warning statement.
Senokoatsane said this conviction and sentencing demonstrate the NPA’s commitment to protecting vulnerable members of society and ensuring that perpetrators of gender-based violence are removed from communities.
“These cases provide some justice and closure to the victims and their families and remove violent criminals from our streets.”
