Iuze Mukube
State advocate Ethel Ndlovu last Friday urged the court to impose a severe sentence on Abel Mokalabatho.
Mokalabatho was recently convicted for the brutal rape and murder of a woman, whose body he dumped in a sewage drain in an attempt to conceal the crime.
During pre-sentencing submissions last week, Ndlovu pleaded for the court to hand down a 35-year prison term.
He argued that the crime was not only violent and inhumane but also demonstrated a clear disregard for human life and dignity.
Mokalabatho was convicted for one count of murder, three counts of rape, one count for kidnapping and one count of obstructing the course of justice in connection to the death of Anna Geinamseb (27) in Drimiopsis, Omaheke region.
Ndlovu pointed out that the accused’s conduct, of raping and then abducting the victim between 1 and 2 August 2020 and forcefully taking her to his residence where he raped her again, murdered her and then disposed of her body in a sewage drain, clearly demonstrated a disregard for the victim’s life and dignity.
She added that Mokalabatho demonstrated no remorse throughout the incident and during court proceedings.
This was further aggravated by his disturbing admission to the victim’s parents that he raped her when they were looking for her at the time.
Ndlovu said the court should take into consideration the testimony of the deceased’s father, who told the court that he and the whole family were heartbroken over the way their daughter was killed ‘like a dog’.
He may have been pointing to the brutal manner in which Mokalabatho murdered the victim, stabbing her in the neck and then strangling her with a wire, which he tightened using pliers.
He buried her body in a manhole.
In addition, the deceased’s father asked the court to punish the accused for justice to be served.
Ndlovu stated that there was no basis for the court to show mercy because for one to be shown mercy, they must first be remorseful.
She added that the deceased did nothing wrong in this matter and there was no reason for her to be killed.
In addition, she argued that offences like the one committed by the accused are very prevalent.
Additionally, she said despite the sentences imposed, the abuse of women continues.
She added that the 20-year sentence proposed by the defence will not serve the interests of justice.
Mbanga Siyomunji, who is representing the accused, requested the court to impose a sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment for the count of murder, 20 years each for the three counts of rape, two years for the kidnapping charge, and three years for defeating the course of justice.
He further submitted that the sentences for rape, kidnapping and defeating the course of justice should run concurrently with the sentence for murder.
This means that if the court agrees, the accused will serve a total of 20 years in prison.
Siyomunji further pointed to the accused’s circumstances, noting that he is 29 years old, a first-time offender and has an 11-year-old son, who is growing up without a father’s care and support.
Mokalabatho was a farm worker before his arrest.
Judge Naomi Shivute postponed the matter to 12 August 2025 for sentencing.