The court sentenced Sifiso Mokoena, a 26-year-old man from Mpumalanga, to life imprisonment after convicting him of raping a 40-year-old woman at gunpoint.
Key Points:
- Sifiso Mokoena, 26, received a life sentence for raping a woman at gunpoint.
- Mokoena’s arrest took place in 2020, and the court convicted him in 2025.
- The court ordered the seizure of Mokoena’s firearm licenses and permits.
Mpumalanga Man Sentenced to Life for Rape
Sifiso Mokoena, a 26-year-old man, received a life sentence after the court convicted him of raping a 40-year-old woman at gunpoint. The woman was collecting firewood in Mpumalanga’s Waterval Boven area when the attack occurred. Mokoena confronted her on July 26, 2020, threatened her with a firearm, and raped her in the bushes. The Belfast Regional Court sentenced Mokoena on Tuesday.
Investigation and Court Proceedings
After the attack, authorities opened a rape case and assigned it to investigators from the specialized Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit. The unit launched an investigation into the incident. In July 2020, investigators arrested Mokoena. He appeared in court multiple times, seeking bail, but the court denied his request. The Belfast Regional Court eventually heard the case, where the court convicted Mokoena on April 8, 2025.
Life Sentence and Firearm Seizure
The court handed down a life sentence to Mokoena. It also declared him unfit to possess a firearm. The judge ordered the immediate seizure of Mokoena’s firearm competency certificates, licenses, and any related permits. Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, Mpumalanga’s Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police, praised the detectives who handled the case. He said, “Such individuals must be removed from society to protect our communities.” Mkhwanazi also expressed that the sentence would act as a deterrent. “We hope the sentence will deter others who might consider committing similar crimes,” he added.
Hope for Deterrence
Mkhwanazi’s statement reflected the importance of the sentence. He emphasized the need to protect communities from dangerous individuals. The case serves as a strong warning to others who may consider emulating Mokoena’s actions.
Earlier this month, another life sentence was handed down in Limpopo. Phillip Nkuna Ngomane, 33, received a life sentence for raping a 15-year-old girl in October 2016. This crime occurred in the Letsitele policing area.
