He demanded money for alcohol, then he raped and killed his 91-year-old mother
Silah Phillemon Moila was sentenced in the Tzaneen Regional Court for raping and murdering his 91-year-old mother.
Image: Nokuthula Mbatha/ Independent Media
A 55-year-old Limpopo man, Silah Phillemon Moila, from Ga-Ntata village, has been convicted and sentenced for raping and murdering his 91-year-old mother.
Limpopo spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, said Moila was convicted and sentenced by the Tzaneen Regional Court to two life terms of imprisonment and an additional six years.
The conviction stems from an incident that took place on 24 February 2024 at Ga-Ntata village. According to the NPA, Moila pleaded guilty to all charges, and the state accepted his plea.
The court heard that at about 10 pm on the night of the incident, Moila went to his mother’s room and demanded money to buy liquor. The elderly woman told him she did not have money. Moila then raped and killed her.
In aggravation of sentence, regional court prosecutor Emmanuel Phatudi argued that the 91-year-old victim died a painful death at the hands of someone who was supposed to be her protector. He submitted that Moila’s guilty plea was not enough to justify deviating from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.
The state argued further that Moila showed no respect for women, particularly his own mother, and that he was not a suitable candidate for rehabilitation. Prosecutors said there were no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify a lesser sentence.
Regional court magistrate Antolize Lamminga agreed with the state, finding that the deceased died in a humiliating manner at the hands of her son. The court held that there were no grounds to depart from the mandatory minimum sentences.
Limpopo director of public prosecutions, advocate Ivy Thenga, welcomed the outcome, saying it reaffirmed the NPA’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims and holding perpetrators of violent crime accountable. She also commended state prosecutor Phatudi and investigating officer Sergeant Sizeka Ngobeni of Mokwakwaila police station for their diligent work.
Their professionalism and persistence, Thenga said, were instrumental in securing the conviction and demonstrated the strength of collaborative efforts within the criminal justice system.
This story was first reported on IOL in May 2025.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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