POLOKWANE – The Polokwane High Court has sentenced 37-year-old Thomas Dama Monayi to 20 years’ imprisonment for multiple counts of rape, theft, and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

Between 2019 and 2021, Monayi attacked three female victims, aged 14 to 24, in the Senwabarwana and Mara areas. He threatened them with a knife, sexually assaulted them, stole their belongings, and fled.

All three incidents were reported to the police, prompting a comprehensive investigation led by Sergeant Mokgadi Matjeka of the Provincial Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS): SECI Unit.

DNA evidence ultimately linked Monayi to the attacks, leading to his formal charging while he was already serving a sentence at Polokwane Correctional Centre for other rape convictions.

The sentencing breakdown was as follows:

• Count 1: 15 years’ imprisonment for rape

• Count 2: 2 years’ imprisonment for theft

• Count 3: 10 years’ imprisonment for rape

• Count 4: 15 years’ imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances

• Count 5: 20 years’ imprisonment for rape

The court ruled that the sentences for counts 1, 2, 3, and 4 would run concurrently with the sentence for count 5, resulting in an effective 20-year term.

This sentence will also run concurrently with the life sentence Monayi is already serving. Additionally, he has been declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Hadebe praised the efforts of the investigative team, noting that justice had been delivered for the victims and their families.