Life sentences for North West rapists who preyed on young women from a tavern
Two men who lured young women from a tavern under the pretense of offering them transport home have been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Zeerust Regional Court for rape and attempted rape in the North West.
Gopolang Seikaneng, 34, was handed a life sentence for rape and an additional eight years for attempted rape, while Jacob Mosimane Sebogodi, 42, received two life sentences for two counts of rape.
The court ordered that all sentences run concurrently. Both men have also been added to the National Register for Sex Offenders.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Spokesperson Sivenathi Gunya said the case stems from an incident that occurred on the night of March 11, 2021, when the two men met two women at a local tavern in Zeerust.
“Evidence presented in court revealed that the accused promised two young women, both aged 21 at the time, that they would provide transport to their homes in Gopane village,” said Gunya.
“While en route, the accused instructed the victims to exit the vehicle and escorted them to an abandoned house.”
At the deserted property, both men took turns raping one of the victims. Sebogodi later took the same victim to his residence, where he raped her again the following morning before returning her to the abandoned house. Seikaneng took the second victim to his home, where he attempted to rape her.
The victims reported the incident.
“Following a swift investigation, both accused were arrested on March 19, 2021. The victims positively identified them, and they were denied bail and remained in custody until sentencing,” said Gunya.
During sentencing, Regional Court Magistrate Okaeng Mothibi condemned the accused for showing no remorse and for deliberately preying on vulnerable individuals. He stressed the importance of the judiciary in sending a strong message against such crimes.
State Advocate Ntebaleng Mabale, who led the prosecution, highlighted the impact of gender-based violence in the country and urged the court to impose the minimum prescribed sentence.
The court also heard two Victim Impact Statements facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Thembinkosi Madiba, detailing the trauma endured by the survivors.
Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Rachel Makhari, welcomed the outcome and stessed that the sentence serves as a significant deterrent to perpetrators of gender-based violence.
IOL News