KROONSTAD MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE AND KIDNAPPING
02 October 2025
KROONSTAD MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE AND KIDNAPPING
Kroonstad, Free State – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Free State welcomes the sentence handed down by the Kroonstad Regional Court against Reamohetsoe Changisa (22), who was convicted of two counts of rape (common purpose) and one count of kidnapping. The court sentenced Changisa to life imprisonment for the two counts of rape and an additional five years’ imprisonment for kidnapping.
The incident occurred on the night of 12 May 2019 in Maokeng, when the 18-year-old complainant was approached by a white vehicle while walking home. A passenger forcibly pulled her into the car, which then drove to a secluded area. Inside the vehicle were two men. Along the way, they handed over the car to another male and dragged the victim on foot to a dark passage, where they took turns raping her and forcing her to perform sexual acts on them. The attackers fled when another vehicle approached with headlights on. Changisa was later arrested, while his co-perpetrator remains at large. Throughout the trial, the accused denied the charges, claiming that the sexual encounter was consensual. The court rejected his version and found him guilty.
In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Nthabiseng Motshabi, representing the State, argued that these heinous crimes warranted the maximum penalty, as the accused showed no remorse and posed a serious danger to society. A Victim Impact Statement (VIS), facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Vuyani Tshabalala, was also submitted to highlight the devastating psychological and emotional impact of the crime on the complainant.
The NPA commends the outstanding work of the prosecution team and law enforcement in ensuring justice for the victim. Sexual violence cases violate the victims’ constitutional rights to dignity and privacy, and the NPA remains committed to prosecuting such cases with urgency and determination. “This sentence demonstrates our courts’ commitment to holding perpetrators of sexual violence accountable. Such crimes not only violate the dignity of the victims but also instil fear in communities.
The NPA will continue to prioritise gender-based violence cases to ensure safer communities,” said Advocate Navilla Somaru, Director of Public Prosecutions in the Free State.
Issued by:
Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Free State Division
073 423 3539