Woman’s husband killed by rapist’s dad
A serial sex-offender who previously served ten years for raping an older woman is set for more jail time after being convicted of raping the very same granny again shortly after his release.
43-year-old Babolokeng Makhujwane made The Voice’s front-page in January 2022, when it was revealed that in the space of ten years, he had twice raped the wife of the man his father murdered 21 years earlier.
Makhujwane’s killer dad is now a free man, having completed his 20-year sentence. However, his rapist son’s incarceration is just getting started!
Appearing before Francistown Magistrates Court last week, the shackled suspect looked worse for wear, having reportedly needed some convincing by police officers to leave his cell that morning.
The Mapatse man’s mood would darken further, when, for the second time in his life, he was declared guilty of raping the now 65-year-old widow.
Although he insists he didn’t do it, Senior Magistrate, Game Mooketsi noted the state had proved beyond doubt that Makhujwane had indeed committed the rape.
On the day in question, 5th December 2021, court heard that the victim had visited a friend in Mapatse settlement near Marapong village, to help with household chores.
During the night, as she was sleeping, Makhujwane is said to have snuck into the house, crept under the blankets and placed a knife at her throat, before raping her.
He then fled into the darkness, at which point the distraught victim woke her friend and together they contacted the cops. Makhujwane was eventually apprehended by members of the community on 24 December.
When reaching her verdict, the Magistrate noted the suspect, who had no legal representation, did not help his case by choosing to ‘go silent’ in court.
“He did not even call any of his witnesses. He disputed having had sexual intercourse with the complainant but when he was given a chance to testify, he opted to remain silent. The DNA swabs from the complainant matched that of the accused,” she ruled.
It was a judgment that seemed to take the suspect by surprise, Makhujwana shaking his head in apparent disbelief.
Shuffling off to the waiting prison van, his misty eyes red, the convicted rapist hurled a few choice words at The Voice’s journalist, snapping at our reporter to put her camera away before he smashes it.
Makhujwana looks to have put on quite a bit of muscle during his time in prison, so it was a warning that was hastily adhered to – despite the accused being in chains!
There will be ample opportunity to get a better pic of Makhujwana, however, as he returns to court on 23 July for sentencing.
