Brutal rapist gets 15 years for beer bottle assault and rape

THE POSTMASBURG Regional Court sentenced Letlhogonolo Maxwell Mothudi, 28, to 15 years’ imprisonment for raping a woman who was walking home alone during the early hours of September 7, 2023.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the complainant had been socialising with a female friend at a local tavern in Postmasburg when the incident occurred.

“They were later joined by the accused and his friend. After leaving the tavern, the group went to a friend’s residence, where they continued drinking. During the early morning hours, the complainant decided to leave for home.

“While walking alone, she heard someone calling after her. She ignored the call but was soon confronted by the accused, who insisted that she accompany him to his place.” 

Senokoatsane added that Mothudi struck her over the head with a beer bottle when she refused his advances and attempted to flee from him.

“He dragged her into a nearby yard when she fell and forced her to undress. He raped her before fleeing the scene." 

Senokoatsane stated that the traumatised complainant managed to reach her boyfriend’s home, where he noticed that she was crying and bleeding.

"She reported the incident to the police later that morning, and the accused was arrested the same day. During the trial, the accused admitted to assaulting the complainant but denied raping her.” 

Senokoatsane added that medical evidence confirmed that the complainant had indeed been sexually assaulted. 

“The accused's version of events was riddled with contradictions and improbabilities, and the court found it to be untruthful.

“State prosecutor Kenneth Moloi Motsatse emphasised the traumatic nature of the assault. A victim impact statement, compiled with the assistance of court preparation officer Kelebogile Mokgotsi, illustrated the lasting emotional and physical impact on the survivor.” 

He noted that during sentencing procedures, the court acknowledged that the offence constituted gender-based violence (GBV), which is a serious and pervasive issue in South Africa. 

“The NPA welcomes the sentence as a demonstration of the justice system’s commitment to holding perpetrators of GBV accountable and ensuring justice for victims. All cases of sexual violence are a direct violation of the victims’ constitutional rights to dignity, privacy, and safety. The NPA remains steadfast in its commitment to pursuing justice in these matters and will continue to prosecute such cases with the full weight of the law. There will be zero tolerance for sexual violence in our society,” Senokoatsane concluded.