UNCLE SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPING HIS 9-YEAR-OLD NEPHEW
13 November 2025
UNCLE SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPING HIS 9-YEAR-OLD NEPHEW
Christiana, North West- The Christiana Regional Court has convicted and sentenced Boikanyo Seemohela (30) to 18 years imprisonment for the rape of his 9-year-old nephew in 2021. The sentencing was delivered on 10 November 2025. The court ordered that his name be added to the National Sex Offender Registry. Investigations revealed that Seemohela is the uncle of the 9-year-old victim. The accused, the victim’s mother, and the victim were staying together in a three-bedroom house in Christiana. The mother slept in the bedroom alone, and the victim slept with his uncle on a mattress in the sitting room.
Evidence presented in court revealed that between August and September 2021, Seemohela would wait for the mother of the nine-year-old boy to go to sleep. Whilst on the mattress, he undressed the victim and sexually assaulted him. After the incident, the victim was afraid to inform his mother. The mother became aware of the assault after 8 months, while the victim was bathing, he bent, and the mother noticed something strange on him and confronted him. After being confronted, he told his mother about the assault by his uncle. The case was opened, and the uncle was arrested. He was later released on bail; his bail was cancelled after he absconded during the trial. He was remanded in custody until the finalisation of the trial.
During the trial, he pleaded not guilty and denied his involvement in the assault. In aggravation of sentence, State Prosecutor Gcinumuzi Radebe argued that the offence is serious and prevalent of rape in his arguments. He articulated that Seemohela 's actions constituted a violation of the victim’s constitutional rights to bodily integrity and lasting trauma.
In handing down the judgment, the court found that the rape degraded the dignity of the victim, and the courts have a duty to protect the victims. Finding substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed life imprisonment under Section 51(1) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997, the court imposed 18 years’ imprisonment, and his name was to be included in the sex offender registry.
Dr Rachel Makhari, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, praised Prosecutor Gcinumuzi Radebe, the investigating officer, and the South African Police Service for their diligent collaboration. The NPA remains steadfast in upholding the rule of law and holding perpetrators accountable. This conviction sends a clear message: the NPA will relentlessly pursue GBV perpetrators, ensuring justice restores safety and dignity for victims. The NPA’s Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) provided critical psychosocial support to the victim, reflecting its victim-centric approach.
Issued by:
Sivenathi Gunya
Communications Officer
North West Division
National Prosecuting Authority
078 172 9367