For raping his blind neighbor, the widow of his deceased buddy, Petros Mokoena received a 10-year prison term.
Mokeona was fortunate to get a sentence after changes to the Criminal Procedures Act of 1997, according to Pinetown Magistrate Siphiwe Hlophe. Prior to the changes, the Act mandated a life sentence for raping a person who has a handicap.
After his buddy went away, Mokoena, a pastor, often helped the family of his victim by giving them meals. Hlophe said that Mokoena exploited the family’s financial position as well as the fact that he was a well-liked pastor in the neighborhood.
One of the victims’ sons discovered Mokoena topless on his mother’s bed in January 2021. Before escaping, Mokoena reportedly gave the victims’ sons an offer of R1000. He left behind a golf shirt, sandals, and a rucksack.
It was discovered that as soon as the victim’s son entered the home, he heard “struggling sounds.” He went into his mom’s room and saw Mokoena raping her. Mokoena was stopped while running by a neighborhood resident who wanted to know what had occurred.
The victim’s children, according to Mokoena, were the ones who robbed him and seized his clothing. Hlophe said that Mokoena had filed a police report accusing the victims’ sons, and that they had been held against their will.
Mokoena said in court that he did not rape the woman and that they had consensual relations. He said that her sons barged in on them and beat him, according to IOL.
A victim impact statement was given in court on Wednesday. The complainant disputed that it was consensual, claiming that the rape had a negative emotional and psychological impact on her.
“The offense for which the accused was found guilty is grave; rape cases gravely violate the integrity, dignity, and privacy of victims. The plaintiff is vulnerable because of her disability… Rape is common and it is a terrible crime, and violence against women is a big issue. It’s one of the wrongs done to the weak, Magistrate Hlophe stated.