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The Bityi Regional Court in Mthatha sentenced Mabula Ramatseatsana (44), to life imprisonment after convicting him on a charge of raping a girl (15), on January 19, 2024.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali said that the court further ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
“The victim was walking home from school in Mqhekezweni village near Mthatha when she was approached by Ramatseatsana who was unknown to her on November 15, 2021. He proposed a love relationship to her, but she rejected the proposal, stating that she was too young for such a relationship,” said Tyali.
According to him Ramatseatsana walked with her towards a local river, On the way, the victim telephonically contacted her male friend and informed him of her location and that she bothered by the Lesotho man.
Tyali said that when they reached the riverbank, Ramatseatsana grabbed and pulled her to nearby forest where he assaulted her with a stick and forced her to undress herself before raping her.
“While he was still in the act, the victim’s male friend, who was searching for her in the forest, arrived. He (Ramatseatsana) ordered the victim to hide with him behind the tree, but she came out of hiding, crying and informed her friend that she had been raped. Ramatseatsana fled the scene but the victim’s friend, who knew him, was able to identify him.”
He said that a case was opened at Bityi Police Station and the victim was taken to Sinawe Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) for treatment. Tyali added that when the police went to investigate Ramatseatsana had already packed and left the village, and he evaded arrest until he was caught a week later while in the employ of another farmer in another village.
“During trial, Ramatseatsana pleaded not guilty, and his defense was a bare denial. Advocate Luvuyo Komanisi, for the state, led the evidence of the victim and her friend, and submitted forensic evidence as collected at the TCC. He presented a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) which was compiled by the victim with the assistance of Court Preparation Officer, Nonkululeko Mcimbi. The State argued that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances justifying deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence and the court agreed.”
Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo commended the Prosecutor, Investigating Officer and the TCC staff for the meticulous collection and presentation of evidence.
