The Bloemfontein Sexual Offences Regional Court found Hlophekile Johnson Molebatsi, 33, guilty on charges of rape and common robbery on Wednesday, 18 March 2026.
This comes after a harrowing incident that took place on 19 October 2013 at approximately 19:15 in an open field in Freedom Square, Bloemfontein.
Investigations revealed that a 17-year-old complainant had gone to a nearby shop when she was accosted by two unknown men. The perpetrators robbed her of her belongings before forcibly taking her to a nearby shack, where they both raped her. The victim reported the incident immediately after the ordeal, leading to the opening of a case.
Despite initial challenges in identifying the perpetrators, a breakthrough was achieved through DNA evidence, which linked Molebatsi to the crime. He was arrested in 2016 and released on bail, but later failed to appear in court, resulting in a warrant of arrest being issued in 2018.
Following sustained investigative efforts, he was eventually traced and re-arrested in Winnie Mandela (formerly known as Brandfort). Bail was successfully opposed by the State.
The court sentenced the accused to life imprisonment for rape and an additional five (5) years’ imprisonment for common robbery.
Molebatsi has been declared unfit to possess a firearm and his name is now entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
The National Prosecuting Authourity (NPA) spokesperson, Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the conviction underlines the critical role of forensic evidence and persistence in securing justice.
During sentencing proceedings, Regional Court Prosecutor Advocate Ronel Botha argued for a sentence commensurate with the seriousness of the offences, emphasising the devastating
impact of gender-based violence on victims and communities. She further submitted that courts have a duty to impose sentences that reflect society’s outrage and serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders.
“The NPA commends the prosecution team and law enforcement officials for their unwavering commitment to ensuring justice for the victim, despite the significant passage of time between the commission of the offence and the finalisation of the case.
“This conviction underscores the critical role of forensic evidence and persistence in securing justice. Gender-based violence remains one of the most serious and pervasive challenges facing South African society, disproportionately affecting women and children,” said Senokoatsane.
