The Thaba Nchu Magistrate’s Court has sentenced Omphile Sesing (19) to an effective 20 years’ imprisonment for the rape and murder of Mapule Masoa (69).
He pleaded guilty to the crimes committed in September 2020.
On Thursday (10/02) Magistrate Magda Jacobs sentenced Sesing to 20 years’ imprisonment for raping the elderly victim, and another 20 years for murdering her.
The sentences will run concurrently.
It was revealed in court that the victim had been heavily intoxicated at the time of her rape and murder.
“In his plea, Sesing stated that he saw a man and a woman trying to carry Masoa on 14 September 2020,” said Phaladi Shuping, provincial spokesperson for the director of public prosecutions.
“Sesing then went to Masoa and dragged her into his house to rape her.”
Masoa woke up while Sesing was raping her and tried to fight him off.
“Sesing then proceeded to grab a knife, with which he stabbed her twice in the neck,” Shuping said.
“Masoa succumbed to her injuries, after which Sesing buried her in a shallow grave he had dug next to the toilet in his yard.”
The murder came to light three days later when Sesing’s neighbours noticed flies swarming around the shallow grave.
“The neighbours ordered him to dig up whatever he had buried there. They called the police when they discovered the body.”
According to Shuping, Sesing confessed that he had raped and killed the victim.
He also admitted that Masoa was too heavily intoxicated to consent to sexual intercourse.
“He further admitted that he had buried Masoa’s body to conceal her death.”
Shuping said the convict’s plea of guilty was accepted by the family of the deceased, Sesing’s legal representation and the state.
According to Adv. Tholoana Sekhonyana, state prosecutor, Sesing “played open cards with the state” and showed remorse for the crimes committed.
