The South African Police Service (SAPS) has welcomed the successful prosecution and life imprisonment sentence handed down to a 57-year-old man for the rape of a fellow inmate at the Grootvlei Correctional Service facility.
The court heard that on 30 January 2024, at approximately 12:00 midday, the accused, Thabo Samuel—also known by the moniker “15”—approached the 20-year-old victim in a communal toilet area. Samuel threatened the victim and demanded he undress. When the victim refused, the assailant assaulted him by grabbing his neck, pulling him down, and proceeded to rape him.
The victim demonstrated significant courage by immediately reporting the traumatic incident to correctional authorities. This report led to a rape case being officially opened at the Bloemspruit Police Station.
The investigation was assigned to Detective Sergeant Gloria Tsubane of the Mangaung Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit. Through meticulous work and close collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), specifically with Prosecutor Ms. Coetzee, a compelling case was built and presented before the court.
The accused, Thabo Samuel, was subsequently found guilty of rape. The court delivered a life imprisonment sentence.