Two rapsits, Orapeleng Thompson, 22, and Letlhogonolo Motshabi, 26, were each sentenced to life imprisonment by the Warrenton Regional Court.
THE SAPS has welcomed the life sentences for rape that were handed down to Orapeleng Thompson, 22, and Letlhogonolo Motshabi, 26, by the Warrenton Regional Court on Tuesday.
The incident happened on October 1, 2018, at around midnight, when the 43-year-old female victim was on her way home to Ikhutseng, Warrenton.
She was accosted by the two accused and they dragged her into the bushes, raped her at knife-point and robbed her of cash and a cellphone before fleeing the scene.
Sergeant Andrew Nhlathi from the Hartswater SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit followed up on information and arrested both men on October 12, 2018.
The accused were both found guilty and each received a life sentence for rape and 15 years’ imprisonment for aggravated robbery.
The SAPS provincial head for FCS, Brigadier Nicky Mills, commended Sergeant Nhlathi for “this excellent sentence that is a clear indication of his professionalism and dedication to serving victims of gender-based violence”.
Mills also reiterated that the SAPS will continue improving access to justice for victims and survivors of gender-based violence and femicide.
