Bloemfontein Magistrates Court sentences 30-year-old man to 25 years imprisonment for statutory rape. Image: EWN.
(The Post News)– The Bloemfontein Regional Court has sentenced a 30-year-old man, Thabo Mabote, to 25 years in jail for the rape of a 13-year-old girl who went missing and was later found.
The case comes after an incident that happened between 13 and 17 March 2023, when the young girl went missing. Preliminary investigations state that the girl was later found after reportedly missing for a couple of days. According to South African Police Services (SAPS) in the Free State, the victim disclosed that she was held by Mabote, who supplied her with drugs and raped her multiple times for several days.
The case was rigorously investigated by the Mangaung Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit. Despite pleading not guilty, the court found Mabote guilty based on the overwhelming evidence presented during the trial, and he was sentenced on 5 August 2025 to 25 years of direct imprisonment.
In addition to the sentence, the court also issued several orders against Mabote. His name will be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders in terms of Section 50 of the Sexual Offences and Related Matters Act. Under the Children’s Act, he has been declared unfit to work with children, and in terms of the Firearms Control Act, he is unfit to possess a firearm.
This sentence comes during Women’s Month, a time SAPS stated should be used to “reaffirm our national commitment to the safety, dignity, and protection of women and children.” The SAPS conveyed thanks for a meticulous investigation by Sergeant Sandiswe Von Willing of the FCS unit for tracking Mabote down and arresting him.
The Free State SAPS spokesperson praised the work of the investigative and prosecution teams, noting that this conviction stems from an unrelenting commitment to providing justice for society’s most vulnerable citizens. In addition, the spokesperson said that they applaud Magistrate Mr. Mxolisi Saliwa, prosecutor Mr. Azola Key, and Sergeant Von Willing for making sure that “justice was served.”
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