…Researched and contributed by Enitan Thompson.
The Pretoria High Court sitting in Benoni has found Petetona Abel Lebele guilty on four counts of rape and kidnapping in relation to a series of attacks on females in the Tsakane graveyard.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional Spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana revealed that the offenses were committed against four females aged 7, 13, 16, and 32 between January 2017 and August 2019, when Lebele was arrested.
Lebele, who was identified as the Tsakane graveyard serial rapist, told the court that he targeted his victims when they were on their way to school or home.
He admitted to dragging them to the cemetery where he raped them.
Lumka further revealed that Lebele’s youngest victim was a 7-year-old minor, who he raped and left in the cemetery after meeting her on her way to school.
His oldest victim was a 32-year-old woman with a 2-year-old child who he also raped before pushing the child on the ground.
The state prosecutor, Advocate Lawrence Sivhidzho, told the court that Lebele had previous convictions for theft in 2015 and robbery in 2008, where he was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The sentencing proceedings have been postponed to 19 April 2023.
Commentary:
The conviction of Petetona Abel Lebele for his crimes as the Tsakane graveyard serial rapist is a reminder of the ongoing issue of gender-based violence in South Africa.
The fact that his youngest victim was just 7 years old underscores the need for stronger measures to protect vulnerable populations, especially children.
Lebele’s previous criminal record and his use of violence against his victims further highlight the need for better rehabilitation programs for offenders and stronger law enforcement to prevent these crimes from happening in the first place.
This case also emphasizes the need for continued efforts to raise awareness of gender-based violence and to empower women and girls to report these crimes and seek justice.