The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court handed down a sentence of life imprisonment to Wanico Zain Brown (22), Ishan Marvin Buys (22) and Cravan Shaun Liberty (24), all from Eersterust.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the life imprisonment sentence, issued on March 20, by Magistrate Kallie Bosch, labelling the crime as ‘heinous and degrading’.
Regional Spokesperson of the NPA, Lumka Mahanjana, said the three men were convicted of raping a 17-year-old girl on the night of September 1, 2018.
According to Mahanjana, the 17-year-old victim attended a party where she met the three men. They took her to Brown’s house, where they all consumed drugs and raped her.
“The following morning at around 06:00, the three men chased the victim out of the house. On her way home, she told a relative of a friend what had happened and immediately reported the matter to the police,” she said.
Mahanjana said all three men were arrested at their homes on September 6, 2018.
The victim received comprehensive support at the Mamelodi Thuthuzela Care Centre, including medical care, psychological counselling, and legal assistance.
“All three accused pleaded not guilty. They claimed the victim had offered to have sexual intercourse with them in exchange for R100, but that they did not proceed,” she added.
Mahanjana said that state prosecutor Annalise Stiles presented compelling evidence, including the victim’s testimony, which proved their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
She said during sentencing, the accused asked the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment, arguing that they were young first offenders, and that the victim had not sustained permanent physical injuries such as stab wounds.
“Prosecutor Stiles strongly opposed this, emphasising the extreme seriousness and prevalence of the crime.
“She pointed out that the men showed no remorse. The victim, a 17-year-old virgin at the time, had sustained internal vaginal injuries and external bruises, and the three men had taken advantage of her while she was under the influence of alcohol and drugs,” said Mahanjana.
A Victim Impact Statement facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Kgomotso Lodi described the severe emotional and psychological trauma the victim continues to suffer.
Mahanjana said the court found no reason to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence.
“The NPA’s Thuthuzela Care Centres continue to provide critical psychosocial support to victims, reflecting our victim-centred approach to GBV cases,” she added.
Mahanjana emphasised that the NPA calls on all South Africans to unite against GBV and to create safe environments where the constitutional rights of children, particularly their right to dignity and safety, are fully protected.
“Perpetrators must face the full might of the law,” she concluded.
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