‘One of the Filthiest Perpetrators’: Limpopo Man Gets Life in Prison for Raping 91-Year-Old Woman

A Limpopo court has handed down a life sentence to Musa Walter Chabalala, calling him “one of the filthiest perpetrators” for his horrific attack on a 91-year-old woman in her home.

In a case that has horrified South Africans and stirred anger across social media, justice was finally served this week at the Waterval Magistrate’s Court. Musa Walter Chabalala, a resident of Tshisaulu village, was sentenced to life in prison for raping a 91-year-old woman in her own home in 2020.

The brutal crime carried out during a home invasion was described by Judge Thogomelani Caution Tshidada as “depraved” and “inhumane,” with the court finding no grounds for leniency.

A Crime That Shattered the Community

The attack took place in the early hours of 21 August 2020. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Chabalala forced his way into the elderly woman’s home by breaking her bedroom door and threatening her with a knife. He demanded money, eventually stealing around R40 and a sound system, but it didn’t stop there.

He then forced the terrified grandmother to undress and raped her multiple times before fleeing the scene.

The victim, despite the trauma she endured, had the strength and presence of mind to report the crime immediately. A detailed police investigation followed, and Chabalala was arrested after forensic evidence linked him to the scene.

Repeat Offender, No Remorse

What shocked the court even more was Chabalala’s criminal history. Already a repeat offender, he showed no remorse during the trial, pleading not guilty and offering no explanation for his actions.

“The judge made it clear this man does not belong in society,” said NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi. “He showed no regret, no humanity.”

Judge Tshidada’s words were scathing: “He is one of the filthiest perpetrators who does not deserve to live in our communities,” he said, noting that the woman he attacked was old enough to be his grandmother.

Pandemic of Gender-Based Violence

The court also heard arguments from the prosecution, led by Advocate Steven Muavha, that rape has reached pandemic levels in Limpopo’s Vhembe district and that only the harshest sentences can begin to deter future offenders.

Chabalala was sentenced to:

• Life in prison for rape

• 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances

• 5 years for housebreaking with intent to commit an offence

The sentences will run concurrently.

Justice, But at What Cost?

The NPA has welcomed the ruling as a victory for justice and for the protection of South Africa’s most vulnerable citizens. Advocate Ivy Thenga, Limpopo’s Director of Public Prosecutions, praised both the investigative team and the prosecution for their “unwavering commitment to justice.”

“This sentence sends a strong message,” she said. “There is no place in our communities for those who prey on the weak and defenceless.”

On social media, South Africans reacted with a mix of outrage and relief. “Finally, a judge who understands the gravity of GBV,” wrote one user on X. “But how did this man roam free with prior convictions?”

A Call for Accountability and Reform

While the sentencing offers closure for the victim and her community, it also reignites the broader conversation about South Africa’s ongoing crisis of gender-based violence, particularly against elderly women, who are often overlooked in national dialogue.

The case also raises questions about parole monitoring and rehabilitation, as Chabalala was already known to the justice system.

His removal from society is a small win. But as many have pointed out, until systems are put in place to prevent such crimes, not just punish them, true justice remains out of reach for countless others.

For now, one more predator is behind bars. But the battle for a safer South Africa is far from over.

{Source: The Citizen}

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