The South African Police Service (SAPS) has reaffirmed its commitment to combating Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) following the sentencing of a 33-year-old man for rape in the Northern Cape.
On 10 July 2025, the Griekwastad Regional Court handed Ricardo Pyl, also known as Booitjie Langman, a 22-year direct imprisonment term for raping a 21-year-old woman. The conviction relates to an attack that occurred on 1 March 2024 at around midnight.
According to police reports, the victim was socializing at a neighbour’s house with Pyl when the neighbour left. The accused then allegedly threatened her with a knife and raped her inside the premises. The victim managed to escape hours later and called for assistance.
Pyl fled the scene, taking the victim’s cellphone, but was apprehended the following day by Griekwastad SAPS detectives, who recovered the stolen device in his possession. The prosecution successfully opposed bail, ensuring Pyl remained in custody throughout the trial.