REGIONAL COURT SENTENCES MAN TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE
29 JANUARY 2026
REGIONAL COURT SENTENCES MAN TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE
Reitz, Free State – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the conviction and sentencing of Thoriso Mokoena (38), who was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Reitz Regional Court for the rape of a 22-year-old woman. Mokoena was convicted on one count of rape after the State presented compelling and consistent evidence that proved his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The offence occurred on 15 March 2025 in Petrus Steyn, in the eastern Free State. On the night of the incident, the complainant was walking home from a tavern when she was approached by the accused. After she rejected his advances, Mokoena threatened her with a knife and forcibly dragged her to his residence. Once inside his home, the accused locked the complainant in his room and turned up the volume of the music. Despite her attempts to resist, he overpowered her and raped her repeatedly throughout the night. The complainant managed to escape the following morning and immediately reported the incident to a friend, after which the matter was reported to the police.
During the trial, the complainant openly acknowledged that she had consumed alcohol on the night of the incident. Despite this, the court found her to be a credible and reliable witness. Her testimony was corroborated by the J88 medical report and the evidence of the first report witness, both of which were consistent with her version of events. The accused’s defence that he and the complainant were in a long-term romantic relationship and that the sexual intercourse was consensual was rejected by the court as false and improbable.
During sentencing, Regional Court Prosecutor Jaco Scholtz argued for the imposition of the prescribed maximum sentence, submitting that the accused posed a danger to society. He further emphasised the need for the court to send a clear and unequivocal message that Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) will not be tolerated, and that perpetrators will face the full might of the law.
A Victim Impact Statement was handed up to the court, outlining the severe physical, emotional, and psychological trauma suffered by the complainant as a result of the accused’s actions.
In delivering judgment, the court agreed with the State’s submissions and found that there were no substantial or compelling circumstances justifying a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence. The accused was accordingly sentenced to life imprisonment.
The NPA reiterates its unwavering commitment to the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide and to ensuring that victims of sexual offences are treated with dignity while perpetrators are held fully accountable.
This sentence underscores the seriousness with which the courts view sexual violence and serves as a strong deterrent to those who continue to perpetrate such heinous crimes in our communities.
Issued by:
Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Free State Division
073 423 3539