Mankweng:Life imprisonment has been handed down to a 28-year-old man convicted of multiple serious offences, including rape, in the Mankweng Regional Court. The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers, has expressed approval of the sentence given to Raphela Nathaniel Thabang.

According to South African Police Service, Thabang was sentenced on November 9, 2026, following his conviction on charges related to an incident at Mamadimo Park in November 2019. The court proceedings revealed that on November 24, 2019, a 22-year-old woman and her 11-year-old relative were attacked in their home by Thabang, who broke in through a window. Armed with a panga, he threatened them and committed acts of rape and robbery.

The victims identified Thabang during the attack, leading to a police report. The case was assigned to Constable Tebogo Moholola of the Polokwane Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, who carried out a thorough investigation resulting in Thabang's arrest and prosecution.

The Mankweng Regional Court sentenced Thabang to life imprisonment for two counts of rape, along with additional sentences for housebreaking, compelling a child to witness a sexual offence, and robbery with aggravating circumstances. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. Lieutenant General Scheepers praised Constable Moholola for his commitment and professionalism in ensuring justice for the victims and their families.