Pretoria man sentenced for rape of 11-year-old with Down syndrome
The Pretoria Magistrates' Court handed down a life sentence to a 32-year-old man found guilty of raping an 11-year-old girl with Down syndrome.
Thabo Xolani Masoka (32) was sentenced on July 31 for the incident that took place on September 8, 2022.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the life imprisonment sentence, describing Masoka's actions against the child as heinous.
'On the day of the incident, the victim was with her mother at the mother's salon when, at approximately 19:45, the mother began locking up,' said NPA Regional Spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana.
The victim started walking home before her mother, who minutes later arrived at their flat and realised her child was missing.
The mother and neighbours eventually traced the child to Masoka's house.
'The mother and residents confronted Masoka at his apartment, where they found the child sitting. When questioned, he said he did not know why she was there.
'The residents called the police, and Masoka was arrested on the scene that day. The state successfully opposed his bail, and he has remained in custody since,' Mahanjana said.
In court, Masoka pleaded not guilty, denying the rape, and claiming the minor was his girlfriend, they had consensual sex and said he thought that the victim was 17 years old.
However, Prosecutor Andries Ntjana presented evidence from a medical doctor and psychiatrist, who proved that the child could not consent.
During sentencing, Masoka requested leniency, referring to his three children and wife, whom he supports.
Ntjana opposed this, saying Masoka lacked remorse, as he continued to maintain his innocence even after conviction.
Magistrate Lynn Pillay found no substantial or compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, deeming life imprisonment appropriate.
'This ruling reaffirms the NPA's unwavering commitment to delivering justice for the most vulnerable members of our society, particularly children with special needs who are often targeted due to their dependence and trust.
'The court's decision to impose the prescribed minimum sentence, despite the accused's pleas for leniency, underscores our resolute stance that no one is above the law, especially when it comes to gender-based violence (GBV) against defenceless victims.'
ALSO READ: Wolwespruit wetland cleared after 20-year standoff
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
40 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Farm murder accused says he was forced to feed women's bodies to pigs
During the brief proceedings, a supervisor on the farm turned state witness. One of the three men accused of killing two women and throwing their bodies in a pigsty in Limpopo has told the court he was forced to feed their bodies to pigs. Pig farmer Zackariah Olivier, his co-accused Rudolph de Wet, and Zimbabwean national William Musoro returned to the Polokwane High Court on Monday. Trial National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Mashudu Malabi said the murder case was postponed to Thursday, 07 August 2025, to afford legal representatives an opportunity to consult and prepare for trial. 'The trial will commence on Monday, 11 August 2025. Accused number three (William Musora) has been moved out from the previous attorneys. Now he is going to be represented by Legal Aid South Africa.' State witness During the brief proceedings on Monday, the 20-year-old De Wet, a supervisor on the farm, turned state witness, and testified that Olivier shot and killed the two women. De Wet is expected to testify that he was 'under duress' when he was forced to throw their bodies into the pig enclosure, according to his lawyer and the state prosecutor. Charges against De Wet are expected to be dropped when he begins his testimony as a state witness. [WATCH] A Limpopo pig farmer, Zacharia Olivier, and his two workers, accused of killing two women and disposing of their bodies in a pigsty, had their trial postponed to Thursday in the High Court in Polokwane. — SABC News (@SABCNews) August 4, 2025 ALSO READ: Pig farm murder case in Limpopo set for trial in August Charges The 50-year-old Musora and the 60-year-old Olivier have yet to enter a plea and remain behind bars. Olivier, De Wet and Musora are facing two counts of murder, attempted murder, defeating the administration of justice, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. Musora, who is a Zimbabwean national, faces an additional charge of contravening the Immigration Act. In December, a visibly emotional Olivier shook his head when Magistrate Ntilane Felleng announced the postponement of his bail application, meaning he spent Christmas behind bars. Murder Olivier, De Wet and Musora are accused of killing Maria Makgato and Lucia Ndlovu before dumping their bodies in a pigsty at Onvervaght farm in Sebayeng, outside Polokwane, in August. It is the state's case that Makgato and Ndlovu went to the farm to collect expired food that the pigs were eating. They were then allegedly fatally shot and dumped into the pigsty, where the animals consumed their bodies. ALSO READ: Limpopo pigsty murders: Two accused abandon bid for bail
Eyewitness News
8 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
NPA confirms Nigerian rapper 3GAR Baby will face charges of reckless driving
CAPE TOWN – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed that a Nigerian rapper who crashed his luxury supercar at speed in Sea Point in March, has been charged. Nigerian rapper 3GAR Baby was reportedly driving over 200km/h when he lost control of his car and slammed into a pavement and a wall. Pictures of the musician sitting in the middle of the street with a bloodied face circulated on social media shortly after the crash. The rapper miraculously survived the horrific accident caught on CCTV camera on a Saturday morning of March 1st, in Cape Town's upmarket suburb of Sea Point. It's understood that a passenger was also injured in the accident. And there are images of the crash and the remains of a crushed McLaren 570S worth millions of rand. NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila has confirmed with Eyewitness News that the musician will be summoned to appear in court soon to face charges of reckless or negligent driving.
The Herald
14 hours ago
- The Herald
'It could have been my child': community fumes over Joburg mom who gave 'drugs' to young son
A woman and three men from Newclare appeared briefly in the Johannesburg magistrate's court on Monday facing charges of attempted murder and child abuse after a viral video showed the woman's toddler being coerced to smoke 'a harmful substance'. The case was postponed to Thursday, to allow for verification of alternative addresses submitted by the defence. The video, which was shared on social media and led to the mother's arrest on July 29, saw the woman and her friends getting the four-year-old boy to light and smoke what appeared to be a Mandrax and dagga-laced bottleneck pipe. 'We cannot say it is drugs at this point, the investigations are ongoing. It is safe to say the child was placed in danger and that is why the state has removed the child to a place of safety,' NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said outside court. The NPA intends to oppose the accused's release on bail, citing the sensitivity of the matter and the victim's age. Mjonondwane asked the public to stop sharing the footage. 'It is dismaying that such videos are circulating. We have taken necessary steps and appeal to the public to stop sharing them. The victim is a minor, we must protect his dignity and the integrity of the investigation.' A woman who identified herself as a relative of one of the accused expressed heartbreak over the incident. Despite her ties to the accused, she said she chose to attend the hearing in solidarity with the victim. 'I am here because it could have been my child too. I am also a mother. 'In our community drugs are a huge problem, but nobody listens to us,' she told TimesLIVE. 'We as coloured people do not get recognised by government. We cry out when shootings happen, when kids are lost to drugs and no one hears us. Now suddenly everyone cares, but where were they when we were fighting this battle alone?' Community activist Melissa Davids said: 'We want justice and we want it as in yesterday. 'The justice system is failing us, too many children are being abused and nothing happens.' Davids said she receives constant calls about child abuse cases that do not make headlines or reach social workers. 'On my way here, I got a call about a mother who tried to give up her child because she could not take care of them. She said [the department of] social development turned her away.' Davids believes there is systemic neglect of coloured communities, citing unemployment, drugs and lack of social services. 'Our people have nothing. That is why so many kids are exposed to drugs and violence. The government ignores us until it is too late,' she said. TimesLIVE
