The Acting Provincial Commissioner of North West, Major General Dintletse Molefe, has welcomed the two life terms handed down by the Potchefstroom Regional Court on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, to 40-year-old rape convict, Elias Tsetla.
Tsetla was sentenced for the rape of his girlfriend in January 2023 at the Ikageng Location in Potchefstroom. The case was registered and investigated by the Potchefstroom Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, leading to the accused’s arrest three days after the incident. During the process, it was discovered that Tsetla, who is from Lesotho, was illegally in the country. He was subsequently charged with an additional count of contravening the Immigration Act of 2002.
According to evidence presented in court, the 28-year-old victim arrived home and was confronted by Tsetla, who accused her of having affairs with other men. Following a verbal exchange, the convict assaulted the woman and raped her twice.
Although Tsetla pleaded not guilty, he was found guilty on all charges. Having been in custody since his arrest, he was sentenced as follows:
-
Count 1: Rape – Life imprisonment
-
Count 2: Rape – Life imprisonment
-
Count 3: Violation of the Immigration Act – A fine of R3000.00 or three months imprisonment.
The court further ordered that Tsetla’s name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
Â
Â