Central SA
North West man receives life sentence for sexual assault─── BAMBATHA GIKO 10:47 Thu, 19 Jan 2023
A 31-year-old man, Katlego Rakgafelo, has been sentenced to life behind bars for rape. A warrant of arrest was issued on 17 January 2019, after the accused failed to appear in the Bafokeng Regional Court.
It’s reported the accused stalked the victim after she left her friend's place, coming from the local tavern in Phokeng, North West. He pulled her to the side of the road and raped her. Police say Rakgafela attacked the victim with a razor when she tried to scream for help.
Rakgafela was initially arrested on 9 May 2018 and was granted bail on 28 September 2018.
However, he was re-arrested on 28 April 2022 for the failure to appear in court. State Prosecutor Mercia Magano calls for the court not to deviate from the minimum life sentence of imprisonment, considering the barbaric manner in which the victim was violated.
NPA spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, says they hope the conviction will serve as a warning to other perpetrators that the justice system will harshly deal with those guilty of gender-based violence and femicide.
