North West Man Onpie Simons Gets Life Sentence for Stabbing and Raping Jogger in Koster

• Onpie Simons, 49, grabbed a woman from behind while she was jogging, stabbed her with a screwdriver and stole her firearm and cellphone
• The Koster Regional Court convicted Simons on both rape and robbery with aggravating circumstances after he pleaded not guilty to all charges
• The NPA argued there were no compelling circumstances to depart from the prescribed minimum sentence, and the court agreed

A 49-year-old North West man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after attacking a woman during her morning jog, stabbing her with a screwdriver, raping her and making off with her licensed firearm and cellphone.

The Koster Regional Court handed Onpie Simons a life sentence for rape and an additional 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances. The sentences will run concurrently. Simons was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Woman attacked while jogging in Koster

According to NPA North West spokesperson Lindiwe Mabasa, evidence led during the trial showed that Simons approached the victim from behind while she was out jogging. He stabbed her with a screwdriver before taking her firearm and cellphone.

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"He then forced the victim to undress and raped her before fleeing the scene," Mabasa said.

The woman reported the attack to police in Koster, triggering a formal investigation. Officers later received a tip-off that Simons had a firearm, prompting them to obtain a search warrant for his home. While the firearm was not found, police recovered a cellphone matching the description of the one stolen from the victim.

Simons was subsequently arrested and charged with rape and robbery with aggravating circumstances. He pleaded not guilty on both counts and remained in custody throughout the duration of the trial, as the State successfully opposed bail.

Court cites GBV in sentencing

Prosecutor Sangweni Zimema led several witnesses during the trial, including investigating officer Piet Olebogeng of Koster SAPS, securing a conviction on both charges.

During sentencing proceedings, the prosecution pushed for the prescribed minimum sentences, citing the gravity of the offences, the devastating impact on the victim and the need to deter similar crimes.

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"The court agreed with the State that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances justifying a departure from the prescribed minimum sentence," Mabasa said.

In its ruling, the Koster Regional Court underscored the continuing scourge of gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa, as well as the criminal justice system's duty to protect vulnerable members of society and hold perpetrators to account.

North West Director of Public Prosecutions Dr Rachel Makhari welcomed the outcome.

"This sentence sends a strong message that perpetrators of sexual violent crimes will be held accountable," she said.

"The NPA remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring justice for victims and supporting the government's efforts to eradicate GBVF."

Mabasa added that the NPA commended the collaborative effort between prosecutors and law enforcement in securing both the conviction and the sentence.

Source: Briefly News