The Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court has sentenced 37-year-old Joseph Modupe to 18 years imprisonment for rape and an additional three years for kidnapping. The conviction, secured by the Phuthaditjhaba Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) in collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), was handed down on 07 July 2025.
The case stems from an incident on 06 April 2024, when the victim reported that she was on her way to her parents’ home when she encountered Modupe on the road. According to the victim, Modupe demanded to sleep with her before forcibly dragging her to his residence. There, he strangled and raped her.
The victim’s screams for help alerted a community patroller, who intervened and assisted her. Following the rescue, the Phuthaditjhaba FCS Unit investigated the case, leading to Modupe’s arrest and prosecution.
