Courts of the Free State impose long prison sentences on six accused of rape

Six people accused of rape in open cases between 2011 and 2023 have been convicted. Photo: iStock

Following thorough investigations by the Phuthaditjhaba Family, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) together with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), six rapists were convicted.

The six were accused of rape in open cases that occurred between 2011 and 2023.

Between 25 June and 2 July, the Phuthaditjhaba, Tseseng and Tseki Magistrates Courts sentenced six rapists in Qwaqwa to a total of 85 years in prison.

The first defendant raped his girlfriend’s 14-year-old daughter in the village of Tseki in September 2022 and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The second defendant from the village of Tseki raped the 16-year-old victim in July 2023 and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The third defendant, from Tseseng village, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for raping a 20-year-old woman by the river and stealing her mobile phone in Makeneng village in January 2023.

A 25-year-old woman from the Thibella district of Tseseng village was caught and raped by another defendant in a two-room house. On her way home, he threatened her with a knife. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

In March 2011, a 17-year-old girl from Matebeleng village was raped by one of the accused after he dragged her into a house where he raped her and threatened her with a knife. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

In March 2023, a 22-year-old student from Phuthaditjhaba and another student were on their way home when they were approached by one of the rape accused, who caught one of the women and raped her.

The second woman fled and called community members, who arrested the accused and handed him over to the police. He was sentenced to ten years in prison.