WELKOM RAPIST SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS’ DIRECT IMPRISONMENT

WELKOM, FREE STATE – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentencing of 32-year-old Genoliver Bezuidenhout to an effective 12 years’ direct imprisonment for rape and housebreaking with intent to steal and theft.

The Welkom Regional Court imposed the sentence on 16 October 2026 after Bezuidenhout pleaded guilty to both charges.

The charges stem from an incident in Bronville in June 2022, when Bezuidenhout unlawfully entered the complainant’s home with the intention of stealing. He stole items valued at approximately R3 000, including a cellular phone, jewellery, clothing, and footwear.

The court heard that the complainant later encountered Bezuidenhout, who overpowered and raped her despite her pleas. Some of the stolen items were subsequently identified after Bezuidenhout was found wearing them.

The State, led by Prosecutor Samiksha Matthysen, presented evidence linking Bezuidenhout to the offences, including positive DNA results connecting him to the rape. The State argued that, given the strength of the evidence against him, his guilty plea could not be regarded as demonstrating genuine remorse. The court also heard that Bezuidenhout had previous convictions for theft and common robbery.

In aggravation of sentence, Prosecutor Matthysen presented the complainant’s Victim Impact Statement, compiled with the assistance of Court Preparation Officer Khantsi Skosana. The statement detailed the severe psychological trauma suffered by the complainant, including her ongoing fear of being around men.

The State argued that Bezuidenhout had violated the complainant in the very place where she should have felt safest, her own home. His actions infringed on her privacy, security, dignity, and bodily integrity, leaving her with lasting emotional scars. The State further submitted that while stolen property could be recovered or replaced, the complainant’s sense of safety and peace of mind could not easily be restored.

The State called for a sentence that reflected the seriousness of the offences, their devastating impact on the complainant, and the need to hold perpetrators of gender-based violence accountable. It further argued that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances warranting a departure from the prescribed minimum sentence.

The court sentenced Bezuidenhout to 12 years’ imprisonment for rape and eight years’ imprisonment for housebreaking with intent to steal and theft. The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, resulting in an effective sentence of 12 years’ direct imprisonment.

The NPA welcomes the sentence as an affirmation of the seriousness with which the criminal justice system views sexual violence. Rape is a devastating crime that violates the dignity, bodily integrity, and sense of security of victims, often leaving lasting psychological and emotional trauma.

The NPA remains resolute in its commitment to prosecuting perpetrators of sexual offences and gender-based violence without fear, favour, or prejudice, while ensuring that the voices and experiences of victims are placed before the courts, particularly during sentencing.

Issued by:

Mojalefa Senokoatsane

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Free State Division