- Justice Thabo Zitha created fake celebrity identities and made false promises about modelling to lure women and girls.
- One victim was led to believe she would meet Idols SA winner Karabo and media personality Bonang Matheba.
- The Nelspruit Regional Court sentenced Zitha to life imprisonment and an additional 30 years for three rape convictions.
A Mpumalanga man who used fake celebrity identities, bogus modelling connections and fabricated photoshoot promises to lure women into dangerous situations has been sentenced to life imprisonment and an additional 30 years’ direct imprisonment for rape.
Justice Thabo Zitha, 37, was sentenced by the Nelspruit Regional Court for three counts of rape committed between February and November 2019 in Gutshwa Trust and Bhejukufa, Mpumalanga.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Zitha manipulated victims by pretending he had connections in the modelling industry and by making false promises of photoshoots with well-known media personalities.
One of the victims, a 17-year-old girl, was tricked into thinking she was talking to Idols SA 2019 winner Karabo and that media personality Bonang Matheba would be involved in a professional photoshoot opportunity.
Fake celebrity identities used to gain victims’ trust
The court heard that on 3 November 2019, the teenager received a call from an unknown caller who identified himself as Karabo, the winner of Idols SA 2019.
The caller said he had seen the victim’s dress on Facebook, admired her appearance and developed a romantic interest in her. He then promised to organise a photoshoot with Matheba and asked for the victim’s identity document.
Later that same day, the victim received another call informing her that the caller was travelling to Ligwalagwala FM and wanted her to accompany him. After meeting the caller, the victim was taken to a house where she was raped.
The teenager later discovered that the supposed Karabo, Matheba and even the alleged driver were all fake identities created by the accused.
Victim threatened with the release of pictures
In another incident on 26 June 2019, Zitha met one of the victims at church in KaBokweni while helping her search for a missing cellphone. The next day, he contacted the victim while pretending to be Shaun, claiming to be Jaden’s cousin. He allegedly offered her R4 000 in exchange for sex with Jaden.
When the victim refused, the accused threatened to post revealing pictures of her on Facebook and later uploaded some of the images online. Afraid of further humiliation and exposure, the victim agreed to meet him at his family home. Once there, Zitha forced her into his room and raped her.
During the incident, the victim realised that the person pretending to be Shaun was actually the accused. She immediately reported the rape to her mother and the police.
Fake modelling agency promises ended in rape
A third victim from Gutshwa Trust met the accused through his younger brother and later exchanged contact details with him. Zitha told the victim he knew people who could help her join a modelling agency and asked her for photographs.
The following day, the victim received a call from someone pretending to represent a Johannesburg travel agency. The caller claimed the accused had already paid expenses for a photoshoot and instructed the victim to travel to a guest house in KaBokweni.
When the victim arrived, no photoshoot took place. Instead, the accused raped her. All three victims received medical treatment and psychosocial support through the Themba Thuthuzela Care Centre.
Although Zitha pleaded not guilty, Prosecutor John Mahlweni presented testimony from the victims, initial reports and forensic evidence confirming injuries sustained during the assaults.
During sentencing proceedings, the State argued that the prescribed minimum sentence should be imposed because of the seriousness and prevalence of sexual offences in Mpumalanga.
The court sentenced Zitha to life in prison, along with an extra 30 years. His name was also added to the National Register for Sex Offenders, and he was declared unfit to own a firearm.
The NPA commended the victims for their bravery in reporting the crimes and acknowledged the role played by the Thuthuzela Care Centre in supporting survivors through counselling, medical care and legal guidance.
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