TENANT SENTENCED TO TWO LIFE IMPRISONMENT TERMS FOR RAPE OF TWO MINORS
02 JULY 2025
TENANT SENTENCED TO TWO LIFE IMPRISONMENT TERMS FOR RAPE OF TWO MINORS
Douglas, Kimberley – The Douglas Regional Court has sentenced Sipho Selowi (45) to two life terms and an additional 20 years of direct imprisonment for the rape of two minor children.
The incident occurred on the night of 30 September 2016. At the time, Sipho Selowi, then 36 years old, was spending the evening with his girlfriend in a shack he was renting as a tenant on one of the victim’s homes in Douglas. During the course of the evening, Selowi misled two minor children, aged 12 and 10, by asking them to assist him in searching for a missing memory stick. His girlfriend, who was present in the shack, passed out after consuming a large quantity of alcohol, leaving the children alone with the accused. Trusting him, the children complied with his request, unaware of his intentions.
It was at this time that Selowi began threatening the minors, demanding that they have sexual intercourse with him. When they resisted, he began to strangle and commenced to rape the first minor, then turned to the second, whom he also raped. The minors survived the heinous ordeal, reported the incident, and a case was opened with the police. During the trial, the State, as represented by Regional Court Prosecutor Thelisha Piedt, led evidence from the minors and four other witnesses, and presented overwhelming evidence against the accused. The victims received thorough court preparation and emotional support from Court Preparation Officer (CPO) Dineo Speak, who also compiled Victim Impact Statements (VIS). These were submitted as part of the State’s evidence, strengthening the case against the accused.
The court found the evidence of the minors to be credible and reliable, and overall, made a good impression on the court. The court found that the victims had no reason to falsely implicate the accused, and their evidence was also corroborated by the medical evidence presented. The court rejected the accused's version of events and found it riddled with contradictions and improbabilities. The court found that the accused's version was far from the truth.
In aggravation of sentence, Prosecutor Piedt argued that the trauma and suffering endured by the victims as a result of the crime were immeasurable. The prosecutor argued that Selowi exploited the children’s vulnerability and abused the trust of the family, given his proximity as a tenant. The accused exercised his dominance and took advantage of his girlfriend's intoxication. The State argued that the court should sentence the accused to life imprisonment because that is the only sentence suitable in the circumstances. Rape is pervasive and most degrading act that no child should ever experience.
In closing, the prosecutor urged the court to consider the long-term psychological effects on the minors, who still have their lives ahead of them, and to impose the minimum prescribed sentence of life imprisonment. She highlighted that rape, especially of a child is a deeply degrading and widespread violation of human dignity which might destroy their lives completely.
In sentencing, the court concurred with the State's submissions and found no grounds to deviate from the mandatory minimum sentence. Selowi was sentenced to Life imprisonment for Count 1 (rape), Life imprisonment for Count 2 (rape) and 20 years direct imprisonment for Count 3 (rape), to run concurrently with the life sentences. The court also ordered that Selowi’s name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) and declared him unfit to work with children.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) once again reaffirms its unwavering commitment to combating gender-based violence and crimes against vulnerable members of society, particularly children. This sentence not only delivers a measure of closure for the victims but also reinforces the principle that justice, though sometimes delayed, can and does prevail. Despite delays caused by unforeseen procedural discrepancies, the victims have now received the justice they rightfully deserve. Cases like these bring a sense of justice and healing to victims and their families, while also ensuring that dangerous offenders are permanently removed from our communities.
Issued by:
Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Free State Division
MSenokoatsane@npa.gov.za
073 423 3539