Former City of Tshwane general worker Matome Seloesa, 42, has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of raping and assaulting a 39-year-old woman inside a municipal building in Pretoria.
The sentence follows an attack on 27 May 2023, when the woman was travelling to Sunnyside to visit a friend. She stopped at a City of Tshwane municipal building and asked for permission to use the toilet.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Seloesa followed her to the facility, locked her inside and repeatedly raped and assaulted her while threatening to kill her.
Victim escaped and sought help
NPA regional spokesperson for Pretoria, Lumka Mahanjana, said Seloesa later instructed the woman to remain inside the toilet while he went to buy food.
The woman managed to escape once he had left and approached a nearby police vehicle, where she reported what had happened.
Mahanjana said Seloesa then approached the victim while she was speaking to police and falsely claimed that she was his girlfriend.
When she felt that her complaint was not being taken seriously, the woman ran to a nearby residence and told occupants what had happened. They helped her contact other police officers, resulting in Seloesa’s arrest at his workplace later that day.
Seloesa denied the allegations
During the trial, Seloesa pleaded not guilty. According to the NPA, he claimed that the woman was his girlfriend and a sex worker.
State prosecutor Sfiso Hlongwane presented evidence, including the victim’s testimony, which the court found sufficient to prove Seloesa’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
During sentencing, Seloesa’s lawyer asked the court to impose a sentence below the prescribed minimum of life imprisonment. The defence cited his status as a first-time offender and the fact that he had three minor children.
Hlongwane opposed the application, arguing that Seloesa had shown no remorse and had continued to claim that the victim was his girlfriend despite not knowing her.
The prosecutor also stressed the seriousness of rape and the role of violence, intimidation and the abuse of power in gender-based violence.
Victim continues to deal with trauma
A Victim Impact Statement was presented to the court by Court Preparation Officer Joyce Makwela.
According to the NPA, the woman told the court that she had to terminate a pregnancy resulting from the rape and continues to experience medical complications that have created a significant financial burden.
She also said the attack affected her engagement and that she continues to suffer psychological trauma.
Court finds no reason to reduce sentence
In handing down the sentence, the court found that Seloesa had shown no remorse and had exploited a vulnerable woman who had simply sought to use a public restroom.
The court also found that he was not the primary caregiver of his children, who live with their respective mothers.
The magistrate noted that Seloesa had shown no mercy towards the victim and had repeatedly threatened to kill her during the prolonged and violent attack.
The court emphasised the need for women to be able to move freely and safely and said sentences must send a clear message that violence against women will not be tolerated.
With no substantial and compelling circumstances found to justify a lesser punishment, the court imposed the prescribed sentence of life imprisonment.
NPA welcomes life sentence
Mahanjana said the NPA welcomed the sentence, describing it as an important step in holding perpetrators of sexual offences accountable.
“The authority remains committed to supporting victims in their pursuit of justice and ensuring that offenders are held accountable for their actions,” Mahanjana said.
She added that the sentence should serve as a reminder that no one is above the law and that the criminal justice system would continue prioritising the protection of women and vulnerable members of society.
