POTCHEFSTROOM – The Bloemhof Regional Court sentenced Thabang Albert Mokwa (20) last week to life and additional 10 years imprisonment for two separate incidents of rape.

In the first incident on Monday, 9 April 2018, a woman and her mother were sleeping at their residential place at Boitumelong Location, Bloemhof when awoken by an intruder at about 04:15. The intruder who threatened the woman, opened the window to allow his accomplice to enter. The woman was forced to open the doors and it was at that point that she saw the third man standing outside.

One of the suspects forced himself onto the woman whilst the other raped the woman’s mother. The victim was thereafter dragged outside the house where her private part was washed with water. The suspects then robbed the victims of groceries, cellular phones and undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing from the scene.

In another unrelated incident on Sunday, 7 October 2018, a woman and her boyfriend were from Japapaeo informal settlement in Bloemhof when confronted by two men who pretended to be members of the Community Police Forum (CPF). The men who instructed the boyfriend to leave, followed him together with the woman.

The men then tried to grab the woman, but the boyfriend came back to her rescue after he heard her screaming. The men fled but later followed the couple to their residential place where they forced entry into the house. They assaulted the boyfriend and raped the woman.

Consequent to a thorough investigation, Mokwa and his accomplice who later passed on, were arrested and linked to both incidents. The third unknown suspect is still at large. Mokwa was eventually found guilty on both rape cases and sentenced to life on the first case and 10 years imprisonment on the second rape case.

The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Pule Morake of Wolmaransstad Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for a sterling job. He reiterated that the South African Police Service will continue to ensure that perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence are brought to book. “It is our responsibility to protect the inhabitants of this country and we will not rest until women and children are and feel safe” General Kwena concluded.

Source: South African Police Service