The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria sentenced Doctor Nkurube Maruma (31) to 491 years’ and life imprisonment for multiple counts of rape, attempted rape, house robbery, and other serious crimes committed against 22 victims aged between 15 and 38 years. The sentence was handed down on Tuesday, 20 May 2025.
The sentence breakdown includes: Nine counts of rape: 190 years, 14 counts of house breaking: 200 years, Two counts of house breaking with intent to steal: 14 years’, Sexual assault: five years’, Attempted rape: eight years, Three counts of robbery aggravating: 45 years, Theft: two years and Marumo was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The case began when a docket was opened on 14 August 2022, for rape, attempted rape, and house robbery. Warrant Officer Jack Ngobeni, a seasoned investigator attached to the Provincial Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit, was allocated the case. Through diligent investigation and leveraging his 23 years of service and extensive training in forensic investigation and paralegal studies, Warrant Officer Ngobeni gathered evidence and linked Maruma to 23 cases reported between 2017 and 2022 in Gauteng and Limpopo.
Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, commended the sentencing, stating it sends a strong message that the SAPS is resolute in its efforts to combat gender-based violence. The Gauteng police remain committed to protecting citizens and bringing perpetrators to justice. Lieutenant General Mthombeni reaffirmed that gender-based violence suspects will be dealt with according to the law, and dedicated officers will continue to work tirelessly to ensure justice is served for the victims and their families.
