Serial rapist remanded for three counts of rape

Lebogang Mosikare | Tuesday July 28, 2015 15:59

 

Principal Magistrate Sijabuliso Siziba, readily agreed with the prosecution, who had said besides the fact that Kagiso Muzila, 19, had another case pending before Chief Magistrate Gaedupe Makgato, the police were investigating two or more similar cases.

Hence he was remanded in custody for the three counts of rape.

“We fear that the accused may commit similar crimes if he is granted bail. He has been on the run and we recently arrested him at Sekukwe cattle post. In addition, our investigations into the matters are still continuing,” said Inspector James Moikwathai.

He opposed Muzila to be granted bail, arguing that Muzila has a penchant of sexually assaulting women.

Facts of the matter are, that Muzila allegedly raped a 13-year-old girl in Matsiloje on February 8, 2014, that he allegedly did it again to a nine-year-old girl on the same day.

On August 2 of the same year, Muzila allegedly pounced on a 21-year-old woman and also raped her

Moikwathai told the court that investigations in the matter have not yet been completed.

Moikwathai added: “The accused is facing a similar charge in court, one before Chief Magistrate Gaedupe Makgato that he recently committed in Tonota whilst still on the run from us.

“Also, we are yet to register another rape case that he recently committed whilst on the run from us. This clearly shows that the accused is not a good candidate for bail.”

Muzila conceded that he has another pending rape case before the chief magistrate.

Siziba remanded him in custody to allow police to complete their investigations. He also supported police’s fear that Muzila may continue raping more women should he be given bail.

Meanwhile, a 20-year-old man from Matsiloje village has been referred to the High Court for sentencing after he pleaded guilty to a single count of raping his sister.

The man committed the offence on July 7, 2015 at Matsiloje village, 45 kilometres east of Francistown.

Siziba referred the matter to the High Court because he does not have powers to impose a sentence beyond the mandatory statutory sentence.

In mitigation, the accused said it was not his intention to rape his own sister.

“I was drunk and I had smoked dagga. I plead with the court to be lenient when passing sentence,” said the accused.

The accused whose names cannot be revealed for ethical reasons entered his own plea of guilt when facts of the matter were read to him last week.

Passing judgement, Siziba said the minimum sentence of rape is 10 years in jail.

“I have considered what you said in mitigation-that you were under the influence of drugs when you committed the offence. The offence you committed is aggravated by the fact that you raped your own sister and used violence when you committed the offence. “I found no exceptional extenuating circumstances that made you to commit the offence,” said Siziba.

Inspector Moikwathai told Siziba that the accused was a first offender.