RAPIST SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT BY SCHWEIZER-RENEKE REGIONAL COURT
01 September 2025
RAPIST SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT BY SCHWEIZER-RENEKE REGIONAL COURT
Schweizer-Reneke, North West- The Schweizer-Reneke Regional Court has convicted and sentenced a 24-year-old man, Thabo Thabang Mongalane, to fifteen years' direct imprisonment for rape. The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on 31 October 2020, when Mongalane and his friends planned an outing to Wentzel Dam in Schweizer-Reneke.
Evidence presented in court revealed that the group were all coming from a funeral and decided to meet at the Motor Sports ground in Loelegeng location. Whilst waiting for other friends that gone home to change after the funeral. Mongalane was left with the 16-year-old victim in the house, and he then proposed that they both take photos with his phone. After taking pictures, he further suggested to the victim that they go and wait for their friends in Phakedi street next to Motoro Sports ground, and she complied.
On arrival in the said street, Mongalane entered a certain yard, and the victim followed and stood outside the house. Mongalane invited her inside the house, but she refused to enter. He forcefully dragged her, pushed her against the wall, and tried to kiss her by force. He pushed the victim inside the house, closed the door with the couch that was behind the door. The court heard that Mongalane overpowered the victim and raped her.
After the rape, he told the victim that she would never leave the place while crying. The victim opened the door, and they left the house. On the street, they took different directions. The victim was still crying, and she met her boyfriend, to whom she reported the matter. A police docket was opened, and Mongalane was arrested and later released on bail.
In court, Mongalane pleaded not guilty to the charge. However, State Prosecutor Sephapho told the court that Mongalane planned the incident and that the rape of children is on the rise and perpetrators of this offence must be punished to serve a term of imprisonment. He urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence.
The court found that there were compelling and substantial circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. This includes the accused’s age, whether he is a first offender, and his personal circumstances. He was sentenced to undergo 15 years' imprisonment. The court ordered that Mongalane’s name be included in the National Register for Sexual Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
Welcoming the sentences, Dr Rachel Makhari, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, commended the collaborative efforts of the prosecution team, South African Police Service, and all stakeholders involved. She emphasised that the outcome serves as a significant deterrent to perpetrators of gender-based violence. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) reiterates its unwavering commitment to prosecuting crimes of gender-based violence, particularly against women and children.
Issued by:
Sivenathi Gunya
Communications Officer
North West Division
National Prosecuting Authority
078 172 9367