FREE STATE – The Bethlehem Regional Court has sentenced 36-year-old Tshidiso Mofokeng to life imprisonment for the rape of his ex-girlfriend, delivering a decisive verdict in a severe gender-based violence case.
The court heard detailed testimony regarding the events that began on 08 December 2025. Mofokeng encountered the victim as she was walking from a local tavern and subsequently convinced her to accompany him to his residence. Once there, the court was told that Mofokeng assaulted the victim and violated her repeatedly over a period of three days.
On the third day of the ordeal, the victim managed to seek assistance by signaling through a window. She was subsequently rescued by authorities and transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation and care.
Following the incident, a formal case of rape was opened at the Reitz Police Station. The investigation was assigned to Constable Khehle Mosikili of the Bethlehem Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses Unit, who was tasked with completing the investigative proceedings.
The matter proceeded to trial, with Prosecutor Mr Jaco Scholtz successfully concluding the State’s case against the accused. On Tuesday, 18 August 2026, Magistrate Monde Matsaya presided over the sentencing phase, handing down the life imprisonment term to Mofokeng in accordance with the severity of the crimes committed.
The conclusion of this case underscores the judicial system’s commitment to holding perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) accountable, while highlighting the critical role of specialized law enforcement units in securing convictions.
