Mamelodi serial rapist gets 491 years in jail

The South African

22-05-2025

The Pretoria High Court sentenced a 34-year-old serial rapist from Mamelodi to 491 years in prison for committing 19 rapes, 15 housebreakings, aggravated robberies, and other related offences
Doctor Nkurube Maruma appeared before the Pretoria High Court on Wednesday 21 May, where Judge Mashudu Munzhelele handed down the sentence.
The court ruled that the sentences would run concurrently with a life imprisonment term. The court also declared Maruma unfit to possess a firearm.
Despite pleading not guilty and denying all allegations, the state linked Maruma to the crimes using DNA evidence.
Prosecutor Advocate Vusimuzi Tshabalala led compelling testimonies from victims, many of whom described harrowing attacks carried out in their homes.
Maruma's reign of terror occurred between October 2017 and August 2022.
He initially committed crimes in Limpopo before relocating to Pretoria, where he continued with the same violent methods.
Maruma made a 38-year-old woman his oldest victim and raped a 15-year-old girl in the presence of her mother, making her his youngest.
During sentencing, Maruma's legal representative asked the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentences, citing his young age at the time of the offences and a difficult upbringing.
However, Advocate Tshabalala opposed the request, noting that Maruma was 26 years old when he began offending and was fully aware of his actions.
Maruma laughed and mocked victims during their testimonies and claimed that witchcraft caused his actions.
Judge Munzhelele agreed with the state that Maruma showed no remorse and had no regard for the suffering of his victims.
Maruma targeted women and children, the most vulnerable members of society.
He broke into homes at night, threatened victims with weapons, and carried out violent assaults.
Police finally arrested Maruma on 14 August 2022. Shortly after he raped another victim and stole three mobile phones and two laptops.
The victim alerted a neighbour, who then flagged down a passing police vehicle. Police officers found and arrested Maruma nearby.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the sentence.
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Marika Jansen Van Vuuren praised the prosecution team for their persistence.
'This landmark sentence sends a powerful message that crimes of gender-based violence (GBV) will be met with the full might of the law,' she said. 'Serial offenders like Maruma have no place in our communities.'
Van Vuuren added that the NPA remains committed to protecting the most vulnerable and ensuring that perpetrators of GBV face justice 'without fear or favour'.
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