North West man jailed for life after jogging attack, rape and robbery

A 49-year-old North West man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after a court found he raped and robbed a woman who was jogging, the Koster Regional Court said.

What the court found

According to IOL, the court sentenced Onpie Simons to life imprisonment for rape and a further 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances. The sentences will run concurrently. Simons was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

NPA North West spokesperson Lindiwe Mabasa told the court prosecutors argued the seriousness of the attack warranted the prescribed minimum sentences, and the court agreed there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to depart from those minimums.

Details of the attack and investigation

Mabasa said evidence at trial established that Simons approached the woman while she was jogging, grabbed her from behind, and stabbed her with a screwdriver before robbing her of her licensed firearm and cellphone. He then forced the victim to undress and raped her before fleeing the scene.

The victim reported the attack to police in Koster, prompting an investigation. Police later obtained a search warrant for Simons’ home. The firearm was not recovered, but police found a cellphone matching the description of the one stolen from the victim.

Simons was charged with rape and robbery with aggravating circumstances. He pleaded not guilty to both charges. The State opposed his release on bail and he remained in custody throughout the trial.

Prosecution and court response

Prosecutor Sangweni Zimema called several witnesses during the case, including investigating officer Piet Olebogeng of Koster SAPS, and secured convictions on both counts.

The court commented on the seriousness of the crimes and highlighted the continuing scourge of gender-based violence and femicide, stressing the criminal justice system’s responsibility to protect vulnerable members of society and hold perpetrators accountable.

Reactions

North West Director of Public Prosecutions Dr Rachel Makhari welcomed the sentence and said it demonstrated the consequences perpetrators of sexual violence could face. “This sentence sends a strong message that perpetrators of sexual violent crimes will be held accountable,” she said.

Mabasa said the NPA commended the joint work of prosecutors and law enforcement officers in securing the conviction and sentence and reiterated the organisation’s commitment to prosecuting perpetrators of GBVF and ensuring victims receive justice through a victim-centred criminal justice system.

About the source

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