Rapist Sentenced to Life Imprisonment

27 MARCH 2025

Rapist Sentenced to Life Imprisonment

Atamelang, South Africa – The Regional Court of the North West sitting at the Atamelang Regional Court has sentenced David Motlanyane Welskut (28) to life imprisonment for the brutal rape of a 17-year-old victim, whose is identity is being protected. The court has also declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm, and his name has been added to the National Register for Sex Offenders. The charges originated from an incident that occurred on 05 February 2017 in Ottosdal. On that day, the victim was walking from a local tavern in the company of her three friends. While on their way home, they passed David in the street. David grabbed the victim by her hand and pulled her forcefully from her friends, who also grabbed her by her other hand and pulled her in the opposite direction, away from the accused person.

Despite her attempts to resist and fight back, David overpowered them as he threatened them with a knife should she not cooperate; her friends ran to seek assistance. He then dragged the victim to a shack that was not too far from where he had accosted her and undressed her forcefully and raped her more than once. The accused was well known to the complainant and the next morning, the complainant went home and reported the rape incident to her uncle, which led to the subsequent arrest of the accused person. Later, after his arrest, he was released on warning.


Despite pleading not guilty, David was convicted based on the overwhelming evidence presented by the prosecution. During sentencing, State Prosecutor, Advocate Edward Manicus, argued against such a deviation that was presented by the defence, referring to applicable statutes and case laws, and argued subsequently for life imprisonment to be imposed as there were no sufficient grounds adduced by the defence for the court to deviate from the applicable minimum sentence. The Regional Court Magistrate Mr Stephan Du Toit agreed with the state and subsequently sentenced the accused to life imprisonment.


Welcoming the sentence, Dr Rachel Makhari, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, commended the dedication of the Police Services, State Prosecutors, and investigators involved in securing this conviction. "This sentence serves as a crucial deterrent against perpetrators of gender-based violence in our country," said Dr. Makhari. "We must continue to ensure justice for victims and take a firm stance against such heinous acts."

Issued by:

Sivenathi Gunya
Communications Officer- North West Division
National Prosecuting Authority
078 172 9367