Uncle sentenced to 25 years for rape

Rustenburg – The Rustenburg cluster commander, major general Arthur Adams welcomed the 25 years’ jail term handed down to James Philemon Motlhatlole (32) for raping his 13-year old niece, handed down by the Mankwe Regional court sitting in Mogwase on Friday, 18 August. 

Matlhatlole forced himself on his niece on numerous occasions from 2015 in Sandfontein near Mogwase. Warrant officer Tefo Raditlhalo of the family violence, child protection and sexual offence unit (FCS) diligently investigated the case which led to Motlhatlole’s arrest in February this year. 

“Motlhatlole used to threaten his family members with violence should they report the matter to the police,” warrant officer Karel Khumalo, police spokesperson, said. 

In another matter, the sterling work conducted by detective warrant officer Karel Khumalo was rewarded by Rustenburg Regional court on Friday 11 August, by sentencing William Ramokau Sebogo (28) to an effective 15-year direct imprisonment for a murder committed a year ago.  

Sebogo was alleged to have stabbed a taxi driver in Photsaneng to death after an argument. Because of the overwhelming evidence gathered and presented to the court by warrant officer Khumalo, the accused subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge.