| 2025/03/30 |
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Media Statement POTCHEFSTROOM – Two rape accused; Elvis Tause (38) and Edward Molefi Molati (51) were each sentenced by the Tlhabane and Mogwase Regional Courts respectively. In the first conviction, this week Thursday, 27 March 2025, the Tlhabane Regional Court imposed a double life sentence on Elvis Tause (38), for raping his land lord’s 13-year-old daughter twice on the same day in May 2018, in Platinum Village in Phokeng. The court heard that the victim was home alone, busy preparing food for herself and her sister after school, whilst the little sister went to play at the neighbour’s house. Tause entered the victim’s room during the afternoon, where he overpowered and raped her. Later the same night at about 20:00, whilst the mother was not home, the victim was woken up by the accused, who gave her the choice whether she wanted to be raped or her little sister. She chose herself and was raped a second time. The teenager was then threatened not to tell anyone, because she will be killed. The brave victim went straight to the police station after the ordeal to report the incident. The suspect was arrested shortly after the incident and appeared several times before the Tlhabane Regional Court where he was ultimately found guilty and convicted and sentenced. In the second conviction before the Mogwase Regional Court on Thursday, 27 March 2025, Edward Molefe Molati (51) was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment for rape and arson. It was reported in Sun City on Monday, 27 November 2023, that the convict overpowered his ex-girlfriend, who was waiting for a bus at a bus top to take her to work in the early morning. The victim was threatened with a knife and dragged to her ex-boyfriend’s nearby house, where she was raped. After the ordeal, Molati paid her R100.00 and instructed her to catch a taxi to work, but she went straight to the police station to report the incident. Later the same day at about 16:00, a 61-year-old pensioner, was sleeping outside his house. Molati gained entrance into the house and burnt it by pouring petrol and setting it alight. The victim was woken up by neighbours, who saw the smoke and the convict was seen running from the scene. Molati was arrested shortly after the incident and bail was successfully opposed. He was remanded in custody until his conviction by the Mogwase Regional Court and sentenced as follows: Count 1: Rape – 15 years’ imprisonment. Count 2: Arson – 15 years’ imprisonment. The sentences will not run concurrently, meaning he was sentenced to 30 years’ effective imprisonment. The Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng and the Director of Public Prosecution, Dr Rachel Makhari, welcomed the sentences, which displayed the responsiveness of the entities towards the fight against Gender Based Violence. They also commended the Investigating Officers; Captain Isaac Mosweu and Constable Balungile Makaya as well as the Prosecutors, Mr Sangweni Zimema and Mr Sicelo Moselakgomo. Ends
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