RAPIST FROM IKAGENG RECEIVED TWO LIFE SENTENCES PLUS 3 MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT

23 September 2025

Potchefstroom, North West – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentences of two life terms plus three months imprisonment handed down by the Potchefstroom Regional Court to Elias Tshetla Tautsepata (37). The Lesotho national was convicted and sentenced on two counts of rape and contravening Section 49(1)(a) of the Immigration Act, 2002. The court ordered that all sentences run concurrently, and his name be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders.

The convictions relate to an incident on the morning of 16 January 2023 in Ikageng. Evidence presented in court revealed that Elias was in a relationship with the victim and began to accuse her of infidelity. He confronted the victim about his allegations, and she denied them.

On the day of the incident, Tautsepata visited the victim at her place of work, where she was looking after an elderly woman. Upon arrival, he accompanied the victim to the bedroom where he raped her several times. The following day, the victim reported the matter to her employer, which led to his arrest two days later. He was denied bail and remained in custody.

During the trial, he pleaded not guilty to all the charges. However, in aggravation of sentence, Prosecutor Annecke Du Toit argued that the courts are under a duty to send a clear message to the accused, and other potential rapists and to the community that they are determined to protect the equality, dignity, and freedom of all women. She urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence.

In delivering the sentence, the court acknowledged the aggravating circumstances of the case and further ruled that the accused showed no remorse. He was sentenced to two life terms for two counts of rape. Additionally, he received a fine of R2,000 or 3 months imprisonment for contravening of Immigration Act, all of which were to run concurrently. He was further declared unfit to possess a firearm. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the two life sentences plus three months handed down to the convicted rapist as a strong reaffirmation of the justice system’s unwavering commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of victims of sexual violence.

Welcoming the verdict, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended Prosecutor Annecke Du Toit and other role players for securing the conviction. This ruling reinforces the judiciary’s zero-tolerance stance on sexual violence and affirms the collective resolve of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and law enforcement partners to pursue justice without fear or favour.

Issued by:

Sivenathi Gunya

Communications Officer

North West Division

National Prosecuting Authority

Email: sgunya@npa.gov.za

Cell: 078 172 9367