By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
18 August 2025- A man (21) was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Atamelang Regional Court for rape. This comes after the accused, Lebogang Ntokoto raped a woman (31) from Ottosdal.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya said on 14 December 2019, Ntokoto, accompanied by two other unknown men, accosted the victim who was walking from home to a nearby local tavern in Ottosdal. Gunya threatened her with a knife and instructed their companions to search her.
“After they searched the victim, Ntokoto told his companions that the victim was his wife and that he was taking her home with him. He forcefully dragged her to his shack whilst still in possession of the said knife.
“At the shack, he told the victim to undress herself, threatening to stab her if she did not comply. He sexually assaulted the victim throughout the night,” he said.
Gunya further said the early hours of the morning, the victim requested to use the toilet. He added that Ntokoto then told her to use the outside toilet and that is how she managed to escape and fled to the neighbour’s house seeking help.
“She managed to flee the house where she hid and reported the rape to her friends, who subsequently accompanied her to the police station to report the matter, which led to Ntokoto’s arrest.
“After his arrest, he was released on warning. In 2023, he failed to appear and has been in custody ever since,” said Gunya.
He said in court, Ntokoto pleaded not guilty.
In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Edward Manicus argued that there were no compelling and substantial circumstances adduced prompting the court to deviate from the applicable minimum sentence of life imprisonment.
In delivering the judgment, Magistrate Stephan Du Toit emphasised the court’s duty to protect vulnerable members of society, and as a result, agreed with the state and sentenced the accused to life imprisonment.
Meanwhile, welcoming the outcome, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended Manicus and other relevant stakeholders involved in the case. The DPP encouraged the communities to report any acts of Gender-Based Authority (GBV) to the relevant authorities.
The Guardian 