RAPIST SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT
18 August 2025
RAPIST SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT
Atamelang, North West – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the life imprisonment sentence handed down by the Atamelang Regional Court to a 21-year-old man, Lebogang Ntokoto, for the rape of a 31-year-old woman from Ottosdal. He was declared unfit to possess a firearm, and his name will be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders, underscoring the NPA’s unwavering commitment to fighting gender-based violence (GBV).
On 14 December 2019, Ntokoto, accompanied by two other unknown men, accosted the victim who was walking from home to a nearby local tavern in Ottosdal. They threatened her with a knife and instructed their companions to search her. After they searched the victim, Ntokoto told his companions that the victim was his wife and that he was taking her home with him. He forcefully dragged her to his shack whilst still in possession of the said knife. At the shack, he told the victim to undress herself, threatening to stab her if she did not comply. He sexually assaulted the victim throughout the night.
In the early hours of the morning, the victim requested to use the toilet. Ntokoto then told her to use the outside toilet, and that is how she managed to escape and fled to the neighbour’s house seeking help. She managed to flee the house where she hid and reported the rape to her friends, who subsequently accompanied her to the police station to report the matter, which led to Ntokoto’s arrest. After his arrest, he was released on warning. In 2023, he failed to appear and has been in custody ever since.
In court, Ntokoto pleaded not guilty. In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Edward Manicus argued that there were no compelling and substantial circumstances adduced prompting the court to deviate from the applicable minimum sentence of life imprisonment. In delivering the judgment, Magistrate Stephan Du Toit emphasised the court’s duty to protect vulnerable members of society, and as a result, agreed with the state and sentenced the accused to life imprisonment.
Welcoming the outcome, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended Advocate Manicus and other relevant stakeholders involved in the case. The DPP encouraged the communities to report any acts of gender-based violence to the relevant authorities.
Issued by:
Sivenathi Gunya
Communications Officer- North West Division
National Prosecuting Authority
078 172 9367