BOYFRIEND SENTENCED TO TWO LIFE TERMS PLUS 13 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR REPEATED RAPE AND VIOLENT CRIMES

18 FEBRUARY 2025

BOYFRIEND SENTENCED TO TWO LIFE TERMS PLUS 13 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR REPEATED RAPE AND VIOLENT CRIMES

Taung, North West – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence imposed by the Taung Regional Court, where Boitumelo Diphatse (46) was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment for two counts of rape. He was further sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for kidnapping and ten years’ imprisonment for two counts of arson. His name will be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. The sentences will run concurrently. 

The court heard that the victim, who was 19 years old at the time of the offences in 2024, was in a romantic relationship with the accused. On 24 December 2024, the accused and the victim were sitting outside her home consuming alcohol when he dragged her inside the house and raped her. On 26 December 2024, after finding the victim standing on the street with another male, Diphatse forcefully dragged her to his home, where he kept her against her will overnight and raped her multiple times. 

The abuse escalated, driven by jealousy. The accused subsequently set fire to the victim’s parental home and later burned the homestead of her uncle. Diphatse was arrested on 10 January 2025 and remained in custody until the finalisation of the matter. 

During the trial, the accused was legally represented and pleaded guilty to the charges. In mitigation of sentence, through his legal representatives, he expressed remorse, cited his minor children, and submitted that he was capable of rehabilitation. 

Representing the State, Regional Court Prosecutor Kgotso Mosanya argued that the offences were extremely serious and emphasised that domestic violence remains a grave social ill, with victims often being among the most vulnerable members of society. He submitted that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. 

The State also presented a Victim Impact Statement (VIS), facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Molebogeng Olifant, in which the complainant detailed the profound emotional and psychological harm she suffered. 

In delivering the sentence, Magistrate Buti Zulu concurred with the State’s submissions and imposed two life terms for the rape convictions, along with additional sentences for kidnapping and arson. 

North West Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended State Prosecutor Kgotso Mosanya, Court Preparation Officer Molebogeng Olifant, and the South African Police Service for their diligent collaboration. “This sentence sends a resolute message: the NPA will relentlessly pursue perpetrators of gender-based violence, ensuring justice restores dignity for victims,” she said. 

Issued by: 

Sivenathi Gunya 

Communications Officer

North West Division

Email: sgunya@npa.gov.za 

Cell: 078 172 9367