The Phuthaditjhaba Regional Court has sentenced Teboho Mele (40) to 20 years direct imprisonment for the rape of a 24-year-old woman in October 2024.
The incident occurred on 14 October 2024 at approximately 04:00. The victim was jogging near a road in the Mandela Park area when an unknown car parked near her. The driver confronted her, asking why she was jogging at that time. When she did not respond and continued jogging, the man got out of his vehicle, assaulted her with fists, and forced her into his car.
Court proceedings revealed that Mele drove to a nearby business premises where he continued to assault the victim before raping her. She sustained bruises during the attack. The accused then instructed her to leave.
The victim’s quick thinking led to the arrest, as she wrote down the vehicle’s registration number. This information enabled investigating officer Detective Warrant Officer Hlobe to identify and apprehend the suspect.
During the trial, it was also established that Mele had a previous conviction for a similar offense, for which he had been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.
The Phuthaditjhaba Family, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses Unit, together with the National Prosecuting Authority, secured the conviction on 5 March 2026.