By OBAKENG MAJE
14 April 2025- A man was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Galeshewe Sexual Offences Court for rape. On the night of 18 December 2022, a woman (20), was socializing with her boyfriend, friends and the accused, Tshwaro Sebogodi in Galeshewe Township, near Kimberley.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Northern Cape, Mojalefa Senokoatsane said later, together with her boyfriend, retired to bed because she was not feeling well. Senokoatsane said during the night, she awoke to the horrifying reality of being sexually violated by Sebogodi, a person she did not personally know.
“Despite her efforts to resist, she was overpowered and she passed out. When she woke up in the morning, she found herself naked, alongside the accused that was also undressed. She asked her boyfriend what is the accused doing naked in the same bed and the boyfriend also did not have answers.
“The forensic analysis confirmed the presence of the accused’s semen on the victim’s underwear, which was submitted for DNA testing. Sebogodi pleaded not guilty and maintained a bare denial throughout the trial,” he said.
Senokoatsane further said, however, after hearing the evidence, the court found the victim to be a credible and reliable witness. The accused, on the other hand, was found to have been evasive under cross-examination and failed to account truthfully for his actions. He added that, in sentencing, the court took into account the grave psychological and emotional trauma endured by the victim, as outlined in a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) compiled by the Court Preparation Officer, Thandi Diphae.
“The victim expressed her ongoing fear, her withdrawal from social life, and the profound impact the incident has had on her mental health. She continues to receive counselling for the severe distress caused by this ordeal.
“The state prosecutor, advocate Shareen Links, emphasised that women should not be reduced to mere objects and condemned the persistent violence faced by women in South Africa. The accused should be sentenced to lengthy prison terms, as he did not even show remorse for his crimes. Links further argued how rape is prevalent in this jurisdiction, but also in the country,” said Senokoatsane.
He said Links said women are not even free anymore in households, let alone on the streets. Senokoatsane said women live in fear daily, fearful that this barbaric, monstrous act might also happen to them.
“The news is full of rape cases daily. The court highlighted the ongoing prevalence of rape cases and reinforced the judiciary’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of women. The court held that a woman should not be treated as an entity/sex toy.
“The court ordered that Sebogodi’s name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm. The NPA remains steadfast in its mission to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and will continue to advocate for the protection and empowerment of victims,” he said.
The Guardian 