TWO LIFE TERMS PLUS 15 YEARS FOR MAN WHO RAPED AND KILLED AN ELDERLY WOMAN
22 October 2025
TWO LIFE TERMS PLUS 15 YEARS FOR MAN WHO RAPED AND KILLED AN ELDERLY WOMAN
Mafikeng, North West – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the North West Division welcomes the hefty sentence imposed on Ofentse Petrus Seilane (40) by the North West High Court. The sentencing was delivered on 21 October 2025, following his conviction on charges of murder, rape, and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The conviction stems from a tragic incident that occurred on 25 November 2023 at Lekoko Village near Mafikeng, where the lifeless body of Elizabeth Gelekhutle Seilane was discovered by her grandchildren inside her bedroom. Investigations revealed that Seilane, who had been left at home with the deceased, strangled and sexually assaulted her before stealing her bank card. He was later seen at a local tavern using the deceased’s bank card to make purchases. Transactions recorded on the deceased’s cellphone confirmed activity from the tavern. Police swiftly arrested Seilane the same day. Buccal samples collected from him matched DNA taken from the deceased, conclusively linking him to the crime.
In court, Seilane pleaded not guilty to all the charges. However, during sentencing proceedings, State Advocate Kabelo Mampo argued that no compelling circumstances justified a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentences. He further informed the court that the deceased was married to the accused’s uncle and that she and her husband had kindly accommodated the accused and his brother in their yard. The court agreed with the State’s submissions and imposed the following sentences: life imprisonment for murder, life imprisonment for rape, 15 years’ imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, and all sentences will run concurrently.
Welcoming the outcome, Dr Rachel Makhari, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, commended Advocate Kabelo Mampo and the law enforcement team for their excellent collaboration. She said the sentences demonstrate the NPA’s unwavering commitment to the fight against gender-based violence and to ensuring that justice is served, particularly for society’s most vulnerable members.
Issued by:
Sivenathi Gunya
Communications Officer
North West Division
National Prosecuting Authority
078 172 9367