Police in North West have welcomed the sentencing of 40-year-old Lesotho national, Elias Tsetla, who received two life terms for raping his girlfriend.

The Potchefstroom Regional Court handed down the sentence, following the brutal attack which took place in Ikageng, Potchefstroom, in January 2023.

According to evidence presented in court, the victim, then 28 years old, arrived home to find Tsetla, who accused her of having affairs. The accused then assaulted and raped her twice.

The matter was investigated by the Potchefstroom Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit. Tsetla was arrested three days after the case was registered. He also faced an additional charge under the Immigration Act after failing to prove his legal status in the country.

Although he pleaded not guilty, the court found him guilty and sentenced him as follows:

Count 1: Rape – Life imprisonment

Count 2: Rape – Life imprisonment

Count 3: Violation of Immigration Act – R3,000 fine or three months’ imprisonment

The court further ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

North West provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone praised the efforts of the investigators and prosecutors.

“We extolled Warrant Officer Jaco Jonker, the prosecutor, advocate Annecke Du Toit and everyone who played a critical role to ensure that the conviction is secured as part of the entities’ commitment to deal firmly with violence against women and children,” he said.

“The SAPS will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who harm women and children are brought to justice.”

Meanwhile, the acting provincial commissioner of police in North West, Major General Dintletse Molefe, said crimes against women and children will not go unpunished.

 “This sentence clearly demonstrates our resolve to deal with those who commit heinous crimes against women and children," said Molefe.

Dr Rachel Makhari, director of Public Prosecutions in North West, has also hailed the conviction, stressing that it sends a strong message to perpetrators of gender-based violence.

The convict has been in custody since his arrest.

*This article was first published by IOL News