Three Life Terms for Serial Rapist in Welkom

24 MARCH 2025

Three Life Terms for Serial Rapist in Welkom

Welkom, Free State – The Welkom Regional Court has sentenced Tau Edin Polane to three life terms and an additional 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances. The sentencing follows his conviction on three counts of rape and one count of robbery, spanning incidents from 2009 to 2017.

Count 1: Rape (September 2009) A 60-year-old woman was alone at home when two men, including Polane, knocked on her door, claiming to flee from police. Once inside, they robbed her of R450, (Count 2). One suggested killing her, but Polane proposed rape instead. Both men took turns assaulting her, leaving her with severe lower-body injuries that permanently impaired her ability to walk, Count 3: Rape (December 2013) A 20-year-old woman walking with her boyfriend was attacked by three men, including Polane, who chased the boyfriend away. They dragged her to nearby shacks and took turns raping her outside. She overheard Polane’s name during the assault and later reported it to the police and Count 4: Rape (June 2017) Polane broke into a home through a window around midnight, armed with a knife. He raped a 24-year-old male victim twice before fleeing. The victim, who knew Polane, immediately reported the crime, leading to his arrest.

DNA evidence linked Polane to the 2009 and 2013 rapes, while the 2017 victim’s testimony identified him directly. The trial began in 2018 but was delayed when the presiding officer passed away, forcing a restart in 2020. Witnesses had to testify again, reliving their trauma, and causing secondary victimisation. Further delays occurred due to the death of Polane’s defence attorney and the appointment of a replacement, stretching the trial over five years.

Advocate Moeketsi Machogo from the Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) Unit led the State’s case. He argued that Polane showed no remorse and posed a grave danger to society, urging life sentences for each rape count to reflect the crimes’ severity and deter similar acts. Machogo highlighted the profound impact on victims and the need to protect the public. Acting Regional Court Magistrate Ndileka Rasi agreed, sentencing Polane to three life terms for the rapes and 15 years for the robbery.

This case exemplifies the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) dedication to justice. Each successful prosecution reflects months or even years of meticulous investigative and prosecutorial effort. The NPA remains committed to tackling violent crime and securing convictions in hundreds of similar cases daily across South Africa.

Issued by:

Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Free State Division
Contact: 073 423 3539
Email: MSenokoatsane@npa.gov.za