By STAFF REPORTER
13 May 2026 – Exceptional investigative work by Detective Constable Boipolelo Polelo of the Prieska Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit led to the successful prosecution and sentencing of the accused, Justin Papier (25) to 18 years imprisonment for rape. Polelo was assigned to investigate the rape case that was reported at the Prieska Police Station in April 2024.
According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe, the victim visited the accused at a farm in Prieska on the evening of Thursday, 11 April 2024, to ask for tobacco. Litabe said upon arrival, she found the accused inside the house and he instructed her to fetch the tobacco from near the television set while he locked the door.
“He subsequently pulled the victim towards him and pushed her to the floor before producing a knife and threatening to stab her should she resist him. Papier then raped her. Thereafter, she managed to flee.
“The incident was reported to the police and the suspect was subsequently arrested. During court proceedings, it emerged that this was not the first incident in which the accused had raped the victim. He was linked to another rape incident against the same victim and was ultimately convicted on two counts of rape,” he said.
Litabe further said the accused was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment and was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Meanwhile, the Pixley ka Seme District Police Commissioner, Major General Nomana Mtukushe, commended Polelo for the exceptional investigative work that led to the successful prosecution and sentencing of the accused.
The Guardian 