SERIAL RAPIST SENTENCED TO FOUR LIFE TERMS AND 25 YEARS’ DIRECT IMPRISONMENT
05 DECEMBER 2025
SERIAL RAPIST SENTENCED TO FOUR LIFE TERMS AND 25 YEARS’ DIRECT IMPRISONMENT
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence imposed by the Pretoria High Court sitting in Palm Ridge on Daniel Nchawe Molefe (33) from Evaton, who has been sentenced to four life terms and 25 years’ direct imprisonment for a series of violent crimes committed between 2019 and 2023. Molefe received four life terms for the rape of four women aged 20, 30, 32 and 34. He was further sentenced to 15 years’ direct imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances,4 years’ direct imprisonment for each of two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and 2 years’ direct imprisonment for kidnapping. The court ordered that the first assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm count and the kidnapping count run concurrently with the first life sentence; the second assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm count with the second life sentence; and the robbery sentence concurrently with the third life sentence.
In the early hours of 27 October 2019, the 30-year-old complainant and her four friends were leaving a local tavern in Evaton, Molefe joined them by entering into the back of a bakkie with them with the intent to go home. While on their way home, the car stopped on the middle of the road and Molefe dragged the first complainant out of the car and the car drove away. He then assaulted her, dragged her to a nearby bush where he raped her and left. Thereafter the complainant walked to her sister’s place of residence nearby and they both went to the police station and reported the matter to the police. On 07 August 2022, in the early hours while the 34-year-old complainant was sleeping at her place of residence in Evaton, she heard a knock on her door and after opening the door she saw Molefe and his accomplice standing outside her door. Molefe then pointed at her with a gun and a knife. Both men dragged the complainant to a nearby toilet, rape her and left. The complainant went back into her place of residence and on the same day went to the police station and reported the matter to the police.
In the evening of 11 June 2022, the 20-year-old complainant and her aunt were walking to a nearby petrol station in Evaton when Molefe and his accomplice approached them, threaten them and began to assault the complainant’s aunt. Molefe then dragged the complainant to a nearby veld, raped her and left. Thereafter, the complainant met her aunt on her way home and they both went to the police station and reported the matter to the police. In the early hours of 12 February 2023 while the 32-year-old complainant was opening her door at her place of residence in Evaton, she was approached by Molefe and his accomplice, who pointed at her with a panga, demanded her phone and bank cards. Thereafter, both men dragged her to a nearby church where they rape her and left. The complainant walked to her friends place and they both went to the police station and reported the matter to the police. After investigations by the police, Molefe was arrested 01 October 2024 at his place of residence.
All victims were taken to Kopanong Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC), where they received medical care, psychological and legal assistance from the police and prosecutors. In court, Molefe pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations. However, State Prosecutor Mokautu Masilo led compelling evidence, including detailed testimonies from all victims, proving his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
During sentencing, Molefe, through his legal representative, asked the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentences, arguing that he was a first-time offender, had been employed at the time of his arrest, and had already spent 13 months in custody. Adv Masilo opposed the request, highlighting the gravity and prevalence of the offences, Molefe’s lack of remorse, and the severe emotional and psychological harm inflicted on the victims, all of whom submitted Victim Impact Statements facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Lebohang Lebese. The victims detailed ongoing trauma, including difficulty sleeping and struggling to relate to men.
In delivering judgment, the court agreed with the State that Molefe’s crimes were severe, prevalent, and deserving of harsh punishment. The judge emphasised that the sentence should send a clear message that perpetrators of rape, particularly against women and children, will face severe consequences. “Men should know that when a woman says no to sexual intercourse, it means no, and it is not an invitation for them to force themselves on her,” the judge said. The court found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentences.
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Marika Jansen van Vuuren, praised the work of Adv Masilo and Investigating Officer Sergeant Bafana Radebe, noting that “Each of these successful prosecutions is the culmination of months and even years of painstaking investigative and prosecutorial work and exemplifies hundreds of similar cases prosecuted successfully daily.”
The NPA remains unwavering in its commitment to combating gender-based violence and protecting vulnerable members of society not only during the 16 Days of Activism, but throughout the year.
Issued by:
Lumka Mahanjana
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Gauteng Division: Pretoria
Email: lmahanjana@npa.gov.za
Cell: 073 002 0000