The Ga-Rankuwa Regional Court sentenced Thabo Mathibe (28), to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl in Kgabalatsane near Brits.

Mathibe broke into the home of the 14-year-old girl on 27 November 2019 while she was sleeping. He attacked, raped and murdered her.

“Her mother heard the commotion in the girl’s room and upon investigating, she saw Mathibe flee the house. She discovered her daughter’s lifeless body in the bedroom, said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame

He said the mother called for help and neighbours went on a search for Mathibe who was later apprehended. “The accused abandoned his bail application and remained in police custody for the duration of the trial.”

Mathibe pleaded not guilty on both charges. The state prosecutor Adv Thabo Motlhamme pleaded with the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence as the crimes committed are serious.

The Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr. Rachel Makhari-Sekhaolelo, lauded the collaboration between the police and the state prosecutor in bringing the perpetrator to book.