A 33 year-old male gets life sentence for raping a seven year-old girl while walking from school
The Tzaneen Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit has secured the life sentence imprisonment handed down to a 33 year-old male accused for raping a seven (07) year-old female victim at Pulaneng village under Maake policing area.
Tebogo Raymond Malatji appeared before the Naphuno Magistrate court on Tuesday 11 August 2026 and was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape.
The court heard that on 08 January 2024, the victim was walking home from school with friends when they were confronted by Malatji. He chased the group, grabbed the victim and dragged her to the nearby bushes where he instructed her to lie on the ground and suddenly raped her.
The victim’s friends sought help from family members who responded to the scene but the suspect had already fled on foot to evade arrest.
The matter was reported to the local police and a rape case was opened. The docket was immediately transferred to the Tzaneen FCS Unit for further investigation.
Constable Terry Ngobeni was assigned to the case and through meticulous investigation, he successfully traced and arrested the accused at Pulaneng village on 10 January 2024.
The Investigating Officer opposed bail throughout the trial and ensured that the accused remained in custody until his life term sentencing.
Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers said: “This life sentence sends a clear message that perpetrators of gender-based violence will face the full might of the law. I commend Constable Terry Ngobeni for his diligence the prosecution team in ensuring that justice was served for the victim. Let this sentence serve as a warning to would be perpetrators.”
