The Thabamoopo Magistrate’s Court has sentenced a 35-year-old man to life imprisonment for the rape of his 13-year-old stepdaughter, which occurred in the Magatle policing area of the Capricorn District in January 2024.
The court heard that on Wednesday, 10 January 2024, at approximately 14:30, the victim was at her home in Gedroogte Village. While preparing to bathe, she entered her mother’s bedroom to fetch clothes. The accused, her 35-year-old stepfather, was present in the room at the time. He pushed her onto the bed, forcibly undressed her, and raped her.
The incident was reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS), leading to the opening of a rape case. Authorities immediately launched a manhunt for the suspect. He was apprehended in Gedroogte Village on Friday, 12 January 2024.
The investigation was assigned to Warrant Officer Choene Selolo of the Mokopane Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses (FCS) Unit. Through her investigative efforts, Selolo successfully opposed bail, ensuring the accused remained in custody leading up to the trial.
The accused was sentenced in the Thabamoopo Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 23 February 2026.