Ga-Mphahlele rapist sentenced to life imprisonment for rape
LEBOWAKGOMO
A rapist in the Ga-Mphahlele and Lebowakgomo areas has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
On Thursday June 26, the Thabamoopo Magistrate’s Court delivered a significant judgment to accused Molemi Makwale Tema (44) who was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape.
The crime was committed between 18 and 19 May 2025 at Seleteng village, in Ga-Mphahlele.
The court heard that the victim (49 year old) was coming from her parents’ home at Dithabaneg going to Mashite village.
“She was offered a lift by an unknown vehicle which dropped her at Seleteng village.
“She waited there for another transport to Mashite and it became late in the evening . At around 21:00, the village was under the loadshedding and it became darker,” said Limpopo SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.
He added, ” An unknown male person approached her, holding a beer bottle. He greeted her, and suddenly, the suspect produced a knife and instructed her to cooperate and go with him to Seleteng until they reached next to a certain tavern where she was raped on the street at knife point.
“The suspect proceeded to a certain house with the victim and repeatedly raped her.”
According to the SAPS, the next morning, the victim was released, and that’s when she reported the ordeal to the police.The case was allocated to a dedicated Sergeant Mokgadi Sara Mokoena attached to Lebowakgomo Family Violence Child, Protection and Sexual Offenses Unit .
She worked tirelessly to gather all evidence, making sure that victims of crime get justice.
Provincial commissioner in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has praised the investigating officer for working tirelessly and leaving no stone unturned ensuring that justice is served to the Gender Based violence and femicide victims .
