Justice Served: Limpopo Serial Rapist Handed 70-Year Sentence

A serial rapist from Limpopo was sentenced to an effective 70 years imprisonment in the Polokwane High Court.

Phelane Mathata Gift, 28, was convicted on charges of rape, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and kidnapping.

The crimes took place between 2020 and 2021.

The court heard that Gift raped eight women between the ages of 17 and 35. This was after he met some of his victims through Facebook.

The court heard his modus operandi was inviting women for a job interview at the mines in Burgesfort. Other victims he randomly met on the streets and threatened them with a knife before raping them.

All the victims were raped in the bushes.

On April 4, 2020, the 17-year-old victim was walking home when she was approached by two men in a red car. They stopped the vehicle and one of the men got out and threatened her with a knife while forcing her to get into the vehicle.

She was then dragged out of the vehicle at the bushes in Ga-Mphethi village and raped, assaulted and robbed of her belongings. The teenager was instructed to run away without looking back. She ran to the nearest house where she informed the people of the ordeal.

Her mother was called and the matter was reported to the police.

On July 5, 2021, the then 34-year-old woman was invited for a job interview at one of the mines in Burgersfort. When she arrived at the mine the security did not know the accused.

The woman then contacted Gift who further directed her to his location in Ga-Selala village.

Upon her arrival, they walked together from the tar road to the gravel path. Walking behind her, Gift produced a knife, threatened the woman, ordered her to undress, and raped her. After the rape he robbed her of a cell phone and wallet.

A case was also opened by police.

The cases were assigned to Detective Sergeant Jacob Letsatsi Mojalefa attached to the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual offenses (FCS) Unit in Burgesfort for further investigations.

The court sentenced Gift to 70 years imprisonment and further declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

Limpopo Police Commissioner, General Thembi Hadebe welcomed the conviction and sentencing. She also applauded the investigating officer for a meticulous job.