A 28-year-old resident from Jabatshaba village outside Beit Bridge was sentenced to an effective 20 years in jail for raping a local teacher at knifepoint.

Bigson Luphahla pleaded guilty when he appeared before Regional Magistrate Dambudzo Malunga on charges of rape, unlawful entry and armed robbery.

It was testified that on 9 November 2012, at around 01:00, Luphahla arrived at a local primary school's staff quarters. The lady teacher was asleep in her room with her niece. He broke a windowpane and tore away the curtains with the knobkerrie he was carrying.

The teacher woke up to the sound of breaking glass and Luphahla's calling for her to open the door. When she did not comply, he proceeded to the door and forced it open with a home-made knife. He then demanded money from the school coffers.

It was testified that the teacher then told him that the money was in the school’s administration office and Luphahla ordered the victim to take him there. He then forced her to go the office, but on the way he demanded to have sexual intercourse with her.

When she resisted his advances, Luphahla produced a knife and threatened to stab her. Terrified, she screamed for help, but no one came to her aid. Angered by her actions, Luphahla grabbed her by the hair and she fell to the ground. He then cut open her pants on the sides, using his knife, and proceeded to rape her once. Afterwards, he forced her to the office and ordered her to open the door, demanding to be given all the money from the school coffers.

Fearing for her life due to the threats from Luphahla, who was also armed with a knobkerrie, the complainant gave him US$ 35 and R100 which was in the school's safety deposit box. He also demanded her cellphone and charger, which she handed over. He then vanished into the darkness.

The teacher informed local police. However, efforts to locate him at the time were fruitless as he had fled the area. Following a tip-off from members of the community, Luphahla was arrested on 31 January at Mvundlana.