A Thabong man was sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of raping his estranged girlfriend in October 2021.
He will also serve time for contravening a protection order served against him.
A 44-year-old woman reported to the Thabong police that on Friday 15 October 2021 her ex-boyfriend had confronted her in the street and then dragged her into his house, where he raped her.
“The victim was terrified and asked the suspect to stop but he told her that her body belongs to him. He forced her to stay with him overnight and the next morning when she asked to leave he slapped her and again raped her. He told her he wanted to satisfy himself,” says Capt. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the Lejweleputswa police.
The rape was reported to the Thabong police and the case was assigned to Det. WO Thabiso Twala of Thabong Family Violence, Child Protection And Sexual Offences unit. He arrested the 41-year-old perpetrator on 19 October 2021.
The rapist was sentenced on 31 October, virtually a year after the horrific ordeal. He received a life sentence for rape and a further five years for contravening the protection order.
The District Commissioner of Lejweleputswa, Maj. Gen. Lerato Molale says that this heavy sentence affirms the police’s commitment to ensuring the safety of women, children and all vulnerable groups during this festive season.
“He applauded Twala, the investigating officer, for the thorough investigation which led to this Thabong rapist receiving a heavy sentence,” says Thakeng.
