| 2025/04/01 |
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Media Statement
POLOKWANE – The Modimolle Regional Court has sentenced 43-year-old Elias Sello Cry Ngoepe to a combined 20 years of direct imprisonment for two separate rape incidents committed in the Vaalwater policing precinct, Waterberg District. DNA evidence linked Ngoepe to these crimes, and he was traced to Rustenburg Prison, where he was already in custody for other rape cases. He was subsequently arrested on 29 May 2023 for the two Vaalwater cases. Charge 1: Housebreaking with intent to rape and rape, committed on 6 March 2017, an 18-year-old woman was asleep in her room when the suspect broke into her house, threatened her with a knife, and raped her. The accused was sentenced to 12 years direct imprisonment On charge 2: committed on 29 July 2019, a 30-year-old woman was on her way home from a tavern at around 01:40 when the suspect approached her while she was unlocking her door. He held her at knifepoint and raped her. He was sentenced to 8 years direct imprisonment Ngoepe was sentenced on 31 March 2025 in the Modimolle Regional Court. The successful conviction is a result of the diligent investigative work led by Detective Warrant Officer Ciska Kruger of the Modimolle Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit. Limpopo Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed the sentence and commended the investigation team for their efforts in ensuring justice for the victims. Ends
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