Judge Sharon Chisiwe sentenced the 48-year-old man, Boiki Litabe, to five life imprisonment sentences which will run concurrently. Delivering her judgment, Judge Chisiwe said Litabe had failed to take opportunities to rehabilitate himself. Judge Chisiwe said he need to be locked away for the safety and security of women and children. 

Litabe was arrested in 2021 after he raped five women and one them is said to have died before his arrest. The state's successful prosecution of Litabe was led by Adv. Antoinette Ferreira.

Judge Chisiwe further sentenced Litabe to 15 years for rape and 2 years for theft, which will also run concurrently with the other life sentences. Litabe is said to have raped complainant four in the matter twice within the space of two years. He raped the women in 2019 and 2020. 

Litabe's first rape case is said to have been in 2008, whilst he was diagnosed with HIV in 2014, meaning during the first rape he wasn't positive. The rest of the rape incidents occurred in 2014, 2017, 2019, and 2020. He pleaded guilty on all charges.

He tried to have the state withdraw count five, which relates to the deceased woman but his attempt was unsuccessful. This as the state announced that DNA which links him to the crime was available. All of the women he raped were not infected, according to Judge Chisiwe. 

These women  disposed statement to relay how the ordeal they went through since the attack and rape by the convicted rapist. Some of the women told Judge Chisiwe that they no longer feel safe around men and in their homes. The judge rejected Litabe's plea for mercy and said the latter only felt sorry and remorseful because he was arrested. She said if he wasn't caught he would have continued with his actions.

Following the sentencing, Litabe launched an urgent application to review the sentjecing and said another judge would come to a different conclusion. State prosecutor Adv. Ferreria said there are no prospects of success in his application. She said the latter had already pleaded guilty to all the charges. Judge Chisiwe immediately agreed with Adv. Ferreria and dismissed Litabe's application, saying she was convinced that no judge would come to a different conclusion. Chisiwe said rape stripped the victims of their dignity and it was a serious offence.

She further ordered that Litabe should be added to the sex offender registrar.

The suspects is said to also be linked to other rapes in Itsoseng in the North West.

OFM News