Rape Accused Sentenced to 15 Years Direct Imprisonment in The Galeshewe Sexual Offences Court
14 APRIL 2025
Rape Accused Sentenced to 15 Years Direct Imprisonment in The Galeshewe Sexual Offences Court
Kimberley, Northern Cape- The Galeshewe Sexual Offences Court has sentenced Tshwaro Sebogodi, after the court found him guilty on a charge of rape. On the night of 18 December 2022, a 20-year-old female victim was socializing with her boyfriend, friends, and the accused in Galeshewe near the town of Kimberley. She later, together with her boyfriend, retired to bed because she was not feeling unwell. During the night, she awoke to the horrifying reality of being sexually violated by Sebogodi, a person she did not personally know.
Despite her efforts to resist, the victim was overpowered, and she passed out. When she woke up in the morning, she found herself naked, alongside the accused, who was also undressed. She asked her boyfriend what the accused was doing naked in the same bed, and the boyfriend also didn't have answers. Forensic analysis confirmed the presence of the accused’s semen on the victim’s underwear, which was submitted for DNA testing.
Sebogodi pleaded not guilty and maintained a bare denial throughout the trial. However, the court, after hearing the evidence, found the victim to be a credible and reliable witness. The accused, on the other hand, was found to have been evasive under cross-examination and failed to account truthfully for his actions.
In sentencing, the court took into account the grave psychological and emotional trauma endured by the victim, as outlined in a Victim Impact Statement compiled by the Court Preparation Officer, Thandi Diphae. The victim expressed her ongoing fear, her withdrawal from social life, and the profound impact the incident has had on her mental health. She continues to receive counselling for the severe distress caused by this ordeal.
The Regional Court Prosecutor Advocate Shareen Links emphasised that women should not be reduced to mere objects and condemned the persistent violence faced by women in South Africa. The accused should be sentenced to lengthy prison terms, as he did not even show remorse for his crimes. The Prosecutor further argued how this charge of Rape is prevalent in this Jurisdiction but also our country. How women are not even free anymore in households, let alone on the streets. That woman lives in fear daily, fearful that this barbaric, monstrous act might also happen to them. The media, news is full of Rape cases daily.
In sentencing the court highlighted the ongoing prevalence of rape cases and reinforced the judiciary’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of women. The court held that a woman should not be treated as an entity /sex toy. Sebogodi was sentenced to 15 years of direct imprisonment. In addition to the custodial sentence, the court ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
The NPA remains steadfast in its mission to combat gender-based violence and will continue to advocate for the protection and empowerment of victims.
Issued by:
Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Northern Cape Division
Email: MSenokoatsane@npa.gov.za
Contact: 073 423 3539