Two separate High Court judgments handed down this week have resulted in life imprisonment for four men convicted of brutal crimes against women, with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) saying the sentences demonstrate the courts’ continued commitment to holding perpetrators of gender based violence and femicide accountable.

In the Western Cape Division of the High Court in Cape Town, Bakhokele Sigodi, 36, was sentenced to four life sentences and an additional 20 years’ direct imprisonment after being convicted of rape, attempted murder, two counts of murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

His co-accused, Anele Yelani, 26, received three life sentences and 35 years’ direct imprisonment after being convicted on the same charges. The court ordered some of the sentences to run concurrently, effectively resulting in both men serving life imprisonment.

The convictions relate to an attack on two women in Marikana, Philippi East, on the evening of 23 January 2021.

The court heard that the women had gone to look for a friend and later walked to an open field surrounded by bushes after one of them needed to relieve herself. While there, they were confronted by Sigodi, Yelani and Yongama Baliso.

Sigodi and Yelani, who were armed with firearms, ordered the women to undress before raping them at gunpoint. Baliso, who was unarmed, stood by during the attacks.

Evidence presented by Senior State Advocate John Reyneveld showed that after the rapes, the accused discussed killing the women to eliminate evidence.

Sigodi then shot one of the victims in the arm, neck and chest. She survived by pretending to be dead. Yelani shot the second victim, who died at the scene.

The surviving victim later hid while the attackers returned to search for her. She was eventually assisted by an elderly man who gave her clothing, carried her to the road and flagged down a police vehicle. She was taken to hospital where forensic samples were collected.

While recovering in hospital, she identified Yelani during a photographic identification parade. After being discharged and leaving the Western Cape, she later identified Sigodi during a second identification parade. She also testified that she knew all three men from seeing them in the Marikana area.

Sigodi was arrested in June 2021, while Yelani was arrested four years later after DNA evidence linked him to the crimes. The court rejected both men’s alibi defences after they failed to explain the presence of their DNA on evidence collected from the victims.

The court further declared both men unfit to possess firearms, ordered the seizure of all firearm licences and weapons in their possession, and directed that their names be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. The surviving victim must also be informed of her right to make representations when either offender becomes eligible for parole.

In a separate matter in the North West, the High Court sentenced Nelson Mattuse, 38, to life imprisonment for the murder of his girlfriend, Nomakhephi Thoma, 30.

The court heard that on 20 February 2024, Mattuse asked Thoma to accompany him to collect money. She never returned home.

When questioned by her family, he initially claimed she had gone to visit a friend before changing his version and alleging she had gone to see another boyfriend.

As concern grew, Thoma’s sister reported her missing to police. Throughout the search, Mattuse pretended to assist both the family and investigators.

His deception ended after he fled from a police interview. Following his arrest on 16 March 2024, officers found him in possession of a hand drawn map that led investigators to Thoma’s remains.

Further investigations also linked him to two unrelated housebreaking and theft cases committed between 2019 and 2020.

He was convicted of murder read with the Domestic Violence Act, kidnapping, violating a corpse and two counts of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft.

In addition to life imprisonment for murder, Mattuse received 10 years each for kidnapping and violating a corpse, five years for one housebreaking conviction and six years for the second. The additional sentences were ordered to run concurrently.

The NPA welcomed both judgments, saying the convictions and sentences reflect the justice system’s continued efforts to hold perpetrators of violent crimes against women accountable and to ensure justice for victims and their families.