By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
29 September 2025 – A man (40) was sentenced to two life terms imprisonment by the Potchefstroom Regional Court for rape. The convict was sentenced for raping his girlfriend in January 2023, at Ikageng Township, near Potchefstroom.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said consequent to registration of the case that was investigated by the Potchefstroom Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit, the accused, Elias Tsetla, was arrested three days later. Mokgwabone said after failing to prove his legal status in the country, Tsetla, who is from Lesotho, was further charged with contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002.
“Evidence was led in court that the girlfriend, then aged 28, arrived home and found the boyfriend who accused her of having affairs with other men. Following the exchange regarding the accusations, the convict assaulted and twice raped her.
“Although he pleaded not guilty, the accused, who has been in custody since his arrest, was found guilty and sentenced to two life terms imprisonment for two counts of rape, sentenced to three months imprisonment or to pay a fine of R3000 for violation of Immigration Act,” he said.
He further said the court ordered that the accused’s name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Dintletse Molefe, welcomed the sentences. Molefe and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr Rachel Makhari extolled Warrant Officer Jaco Jonker, the state prosecutor, advocate Annecke Du Toit and everyone who played a critical role to ensure that the conviction is secured as part of the entities’ commitment to deal firmly with violence against women and children.
The Guardian 