By STAFF REPORTER
30 March 2026 – The accused, Tatlhego Dire (33) was sentenced to double life imprisonment the Ditsobotla Regional Court for two separate rape incidents committed in Mareetsane village, near Mahikeng. On 16 January 2013, the victim was walking with her boyfriend in Mareetsane when the accused attacked them, striking the boyfriend with a steel pipe before he fled.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Anne Magakoe said Dire then dragged the victim to his residence, where he raped her throughout the night. Magakoe said in a separate incident on 30 October 2011, a victim (25) was walking with a friend to a shop when the accused approached them, stabbed the victim on the head and chased the friend away.
“He then dragged the victim to a nearby place, where he raped her. Dire pleaded not guilty on 18 June 2025, but was subsequently convicted. During sentencing proceedings, the state argued for life imprisonment, emphasising the brutality of the attacks and the serious injuries inflicted on the victims.
“In delivering judgment, Magistrate Ndade Maphango agreed with the state, noting that the accused showed no remorse and that the offences were of a serious and violent nature. The accused was sentenced to life imprisonment on both counts,” she said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, commended the investigating officer, D/Sgt Hebert Mkaunye from the Provincial Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation, whose thorough investigation contributed to the successful conviction. Naidoo stated that this conviction sends a strong message that perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) will face the full might of the law.
The Guardian 