By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
12 July 2025- The South African Police Service (SAPS) remains steadfast in prioritising the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). In a recent milestone, the Griekwastad Regional Court sentenced Ricardo Pyl, also known as Booitjie Langman, to 22 years of direct imprisonment for rape.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock said conviction stems from an incident that occurred on 1 March 2024 at approximately midnight. Kock said a woman (21) was socialising at a neighbour’s house in the company of the accused (33).
“When the neighbour left, the accused threatened the victim with a knife and raped her inside the premises. The victim managed to escape hours later and called for help.
“The accused had fled the scene, taking her cellphone. Griekwastad SAPS Detectives apprehended Pyl the following day and successfully recovered the victim’s cellphone in his possession,” he said.
Kock further said the bail was successfully opposed and the accused remained in custody until the conclusion of the trial. He added that, on 10 July 2025, he was sentenced to 22 years imprisonment by the Griekwastad Regional Court.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended Detective Warrant Officer Shaniel Antonie from the Kimberley Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for her outstanding investigative work that secured the conviction.
“We hope this sentence serves as a deterrent to those who may consider perpetrating similar crimes. We also trust it brings a measure of solace to the victim and encourages other survivors to continue speaking out against the scourge of GBVF,” said Otola.
The Guardian 