THOHOYANDOU – A resident of Mashamba Village, Khathutshelo Freddy Ndou (25) will spend the rest of his life in jail. His rape and murder cases were finalised in the Venda High Court last Friday.

The incident relating to the rape charge took place at Mashamba Village during the night of March 25, 2000. The court heard that during the night of the incident Ndou went to the victim's kraal. The victim was staying alone in the house as her only son was working on the Reef.

On arrival at the victim's kraal, Ndou grabbed the victim and raped her. The victim managed to identify him despite the fact that it was late at night.

The court also heard that the victim's neighbors had also seen the accused on his way out after the ordeal. The victim was a 62-year-old pensioner. The accused was arrested a few days after the incident.

He appeared in the Tshitale magistrate court several times until the matter was referred to the Regional court in Thohoyandou on January 8 last year.

The victim did not appear in the regional court on January 8. The investigating officer in the case, D/Insp Albert Mukovhanama made a follow-up on the victim's failure to appear in court. He discovered that the victim was stabbed with a panga the night before the regional court date. The victim later died in hospital due to the stab wounds. Upon investigations the police discovered that the victim was stabbed by the accused.

This resulted in the accused facing two charges, rape and murder. Ndou then forfeited his R1 500 bail and he remained in custody until the case was finalised last Friday.

Ndou was sentenced to 45 years in jail for rape. A life imprisonment was imposed on him for murder. The victim was identified as Mrs Mavis Mabatha (62) of Mashamba Village.