Staff Reporter.
Aubrey Manaka has been convicted for the murder of Capricorn TVET college Ramokgopha campus Precious Ramabulana. Photo by Joshua Sebola.
Aubrey Manaka, on Friday was sentenced to life in prison by the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane for the murder of Capricorn TVET College student Precious Ramabulana in 2019.
“Taking into consideration the evidence and the arguments presented in totality, in my view, the aggravating factors in this case far outweigh the mitigating factors. The court finds there are no substantial and compelling circumstances that justify a deviation from prescribing of sentences,” Judge Francis Kganyago said.
Manaka was handed eight years for robbery with intent to rape, two life terms for both rape and murder and 15 years for robbery with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently.
Judge Kganyago stated that Manaka stabbed Ramabulana to make sure that she was permanently removed from the earth.
These are the deeds of the evil person and the deceased has died a gruesome death. Women have the right to walk freely and society requires protection from the courts from people like Manaka in order to gain confidence in the criminal justice system.
“Precious was 21 years of age at the time of her death and still had a life ahead of her. When the crime was committed, Precious Ramabulana was defenseless and unarmed therefore a suitable sentence must be imposed to deter future offenders,” he said.
On Thursday the court heard the defence’s arguments for mitigation of sentence. The state argued for aggravation of sentence with Ramabulana’s aunt, Mavis Sethodimela, taking the stand.
Manaka, 29, on Wednesday, pleaded guilty to charges of rape, murder and robbery at the start of his trial.
Ramabulana, 21, was stabbed 90 times and raped while bleeding on 24 November 2019 in her off-campus room in Mokomene outside Polokwane.