Man gets 2 life terms for murder, attempted rape of old woman

A 44-year-old man was sentenced to two life terms in prison for murder and attempted murder of a 67-year-old woman in Paulroux near Bethlehem last year in July.

The convict, Mthenjwa Isaac Magagula, was sentenced in the Bethlehem Magistrate Court, after he was found guilty on these two counts.

Before handing down judgement, the Magistrate heard how the 33-year-old convict, jumped over the fence at Sekemer Vreugde Old Age Home in Paulroux and broke into a room of a 67-year-old Gertina Jacoba Boysen.

The convict, slept with the victim on her bed until at around 07:00 in the morning.

“In the morning the perpetrator woke up and stole a gas stove, gas bottle and clothing and took his leave,” court heard.

Luckily, upon leaving the premises, Magagula was seen by a neighbour carrying the loot and the neighbour followed him.

The neighbour then sought help from the community, and with a joint effort, they apprehend the perpetrator and confiscated the loot.

However, the man managed to escape but was later caught again by the police after receiving his description from the community.

Later on, it turned out the perpetrator left more damage than just the looting.

The 67-year-old victim from the old age home passed away at the hospital after sustaining a shock from the ordeal according to the post-mortem.

“The court did not find Mgagula guilty of rape since the post-mortem did not reveal any penetration,” said spokesperson captain Phumelelo Dhlamini.

During the trial, investigator detective captain Aaron Mbhele testified that the accused had removed the deceased’s underwear, but the victim showed no signs of rape.

As a result, yesterday, a court in Bethlehem led by judge Ramulal sentenced Magagula to life imprisonment for attempted rape.

The court also sentence him to another life imprisonment for murder and 15 more years for house breaking with intention to rob and robbery.