“She Was My Girlfriend”: Pretoria Man Gets Life for Raping 11-Year-Old with Down Syndrome

The words “consensual sex” should never apply to an 11-year-old. Yet that’s exactly what Thabo Masoka, a 32-year-old Pretoria man, had the audacity to claim in court after raping a child with Down syndrome.

This week, justice was served, brutally and decisively. Magistrate Lynn Pillay handed Masoka a life sentence, dismissing his outrageous defense and reaffirming a hard truth: South Africa’s most vulnerable children deserve protection, not predation.

A Mother’s Worst Nightmare

It started as an ordinary evening in September 2022. The young girl was helping her mother close up their family salon in their apartment block. When her mom stepped away briefly, the child began walking home alone—a routine moment that turned horrific.

Minutes later, her mother returned to find her missing. Panicked, she rallied neighbors to search. Then came the gut-punch: a witness had seen Masoka, a neighbor, leading the girl to his flat.

When confronted, Masoka feigned ignorance, “I don’t know why she’s here.” But the truth was undeniable. Police arrested him on the spot.

The Shocking Courtroom Defense

At trial, Masoka didn’t just deny guilt, he twisted it. He called the child his “girlfriend,” insisting their relationship was consensual. He even claimed he thought she was 17.

Prosecutor Andries Ntjana dismantled the lies. Medical experts proved the girl couldn’t legally or cognitively consent. Worse, Masoka, a father of three, showed zero remorse, clinging to his grotesque story even after conviction.

Why This Sentence Matters

Magistrate Pillay’s ruling sent a clear message: No excuses. No leniency.

The NPA praised the decision, emphasizing that children with disabilities face heightened risks. “They trust easily. Predators exploit that,” said spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.

Social media erupted in outrage, with many noting the grim irony: Masoka begged for mercy for his own family—after destroying a child’s.

The Bigger Battle

This case isn’t isolated. In South Africa, a child is raped every 15 minutes. Disabled children are especially vulnerable, often overlooked in GBV statistics.

But this verdict sets a precedent. As one activist tweeted: “Finally, a court saw a disabled child as a person, not a loophole.”

For the survivor’s mother, it’s a bittersweet win. Her daughter may never fully understand what happened—but today, the law did.

Key Takeaways:

• Cultural Context: Disability stigma often silences victims; many cases go unreported.

• Public Outrage: South Africans demand tougher GBV laws for crimes against disabled persons.

• The Lesson: Consent isn’t just about age, it’s about capacity, power, and humanity.

Masoka will die in prison. But for South Africa’s children, the fight for safety is just beginning.