A 33-year-old man, Moses Malatjie, has been sentenced to an effective 20 years in prison by the Thabazimbi Regional Court on June 8, 2026, following his conviction for rape and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The sentencing follows a violent attack that occurred in the early hours of September 14, 2024. A 31-year-old woman and a companion were walking from Bundu to Mojuteng in Northam when they were intercepted by a man wearing a balaclava. The assailant discharged his firearm multiple times, prompting the victim’s friend to flee. The suspect then forcefully dragged the woman to a nearby structure adjacent to a power line, where he threatened her with the firearm and raped her.
The successful prosecution was driven by extensive investigations led by Warrant Officer Derick Masonto from the Thabazimbi Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, alongside Constable Wisani Khanyi of the Northam Detectives.
During the proceedings, the court handed down the following sentences:
Count 1: Robbery with aggravating circumstances – 15 years imprisonment.
Count 2: Robbery with aggravating circumstances – 15 years imprisonment.
Count 5: Rape – 20 years imprisonment.
Count 6: Rape – 20 years imprisonment.
The court directed that the terms for Counts 1, 2, and 5 be served concurrently with the 20-year sentence for Count 6, resulting in an effective 20-year prison term. Furthermore, Malatjie was declared unfit to own a firearm under Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act (Act 60 of 2000).