QWAQWA — Justice has finally caught up with him. A 23-year old man from Makeneng, Paballo Ntsala, has been slapped with 25 years direct imprisonment for breaking into the home of an 80-year old gogo and raping her.
The Phuthaditjhaba Regional Court sentenced him on Tuesday, 13 October, for housebreaking with intent to rape and rape.
The court heard how, in February 2022, Ntsala smashed the dining room window of the elderly woman’s home while she was asleep.
Startled by the noise, she went to investigate — and came face-to-face with a stranger in her corridor.
“He threatened to kill her if she made any noise,” said police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring.
He demanded money. When the pensioner told him she had none, he turned brutal — assaulting her, dragging her to the bedroom and raping her, before stealing her cellphone and purse and fleeing, leaving her battered with a swollen face.
It was the community that brought him down. With their help, police traced and arrested him.
The case was led by Detective Warrant Officer Mphamo Mokoena of the Phuthaditjhaba FCS Unit, with Ms Nteo prosecuting before Magistrate Msimanga.
Free State Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane welcomed the sentence and praised the police and prosecution team for ensuring justice was served.
He said the protection of vulnerable, elderly citizens must remain a top priority and called on communities to continue working with police to combat gender-based violence.
