Northam Rapist Jailed for 50 Years

Thabazimbi – In a powerful affirmation of justice, the Thabazimbi Regional Court has sentenced 36-year-old Phenyo Moilwa to an effective 50 years of direct imprisonment for a string of violent crimes committed in Northam in 2022.

Moilwa, originally from Mokgalwaneng, was convicted on two separate incidents — one involving the rape and robbery of a 25-year-old woman in December 2022, and another in which he robbed a 20-year-old victim of her cellphone in August the same year.

According to brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, the December incident occurred when Moilwa lured the 25-year-old victim under the pretence of visiting a tavern. Instead, he dragged her to a cemetery, threatened her with a knife, raped her, and robbed her of R300 before tying her with a rope and abandoning her in the bushes. Fortunately, she was found by a passerby who helped her reach safety.

The case was swiftly transferred to the Thabazimbi Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, where warrant officer Derick Masonto’s expert investigative work led to Moilwa’s arrest on 14 April 2023. During an identification parade, the second victim recognised Moilwa as the man who had robbed her of a cellphone valued at R2,000 in a local hardware store.

The court handed Moilwa three sentences: 20 years for rape and two counts of 15 years each for robbery with aggravating circumstances. He will serve the sentences concurrently, resulting in a total of 50 years’ imprisonment. Additionally, Moilwa has been declared unfit to possess a firearm, and his name has been entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. Lieutenant general Thembi Hadebe, provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, welcomed the sentence, commending both the investigative team and the courage of the victims. 

Photo: Convicted: 36-year-old Phenyo Moilwa, now serving a 50-year sentence for rape and robbery in Northam.