University of Venda serial rapist gets life imprisonment: The accused was not remorseful and unruly during proceedings

A serial rapist who terrorised female students at the University of Venda (Univen) in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, has been sent for life in prison by the Sibasa regional court.

Victor Madia unleashed his terrifying acts between August and October 2018. He would threaten the victims with a dangerous weapon, forcefully take them to the bushes, rape and then rob them of their belongings.

Madia (40) was further sentenced to a combined 30 years which will concurrently with the life imprisonment.

Madia pleaded not guilty to the offences, but the state led evidence which positively linked him to the crimes. He was linked to other rape cases through forensic evidence.

He was unknown to the victims. However, a few days after a certain incident, the victim met and recognised him at a shopping complex in Thohoyandou.

The victim requested assistance from the security who summoned police. Madia was then arrested.

State prosecutor, Steven Muavha, pleaded for a maximum sentence to be imposed, arguing that the accused was not remorseful and was a repeat offender who appeared to be not deterred by his previous conviction and sentence.

Magistrate, Daniel Mabitsela, concurred. He remarked that the accused preyed on innocent victims, and that he was also unruly during the proceedings.

Mabitsela said there were no substantial and compelling circumstances for a court to deviate from a prescribed minimum sentence of life in prison.