A South African man, Sechaba Mohapi, 42, has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for raping his 23-year-old neighbour.
Mohapi, from Masike in Phelindaba near Bloemfontein, was convicted after standing trial at the Bloemfontein Sexual Offences Court.
The incident occurred on 9th December 2022, when the victim, a lesbian, was walking to the shop to buy milk. The accused lured her into his yard, pretending to ask her to purchase something on his behalf. Once inside, he forcibly pulled her into his house, threatened her with a knife, and raped her.
After the assault, he discarded her clothes outside. The victim had previously informed Mohapi that she was not interested in a romantic relationship when he proposed, citing her sexual orientation.
Regional court prosecutor Azola Key argued that no substantial or compelling reasons existed to reduce the mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, emphasising the severity of the crime and the prevalence of corrective rape in society.
Mohapi’s Legal Aid representative had pleaded for a lesser sentence, noting that he was a first-time offender. The court also ruled that Mohapi’s details be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders.
