Man sentenced after DNA links him to rape

A 20-year-old man was arrested and connected through DNA to the rape of a 42-year-old woman in Bothaville in 2023. He has been sentenced.

The accused, Thabang Mike Moeketsi, was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment in the Bothaville Regional Court on 22 April.

During his court appearance it was revealed that on 11 June 2023, Moeketsi had entered the home that the victim shared with her 13-year-old son. They were both asleep at the time. The woman was awoken by movement next to her bed at about 21:15.

According to Capt. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the Lejweleputswa police, the incident occured during load shedding.

“She lit her cellphone torch and saw the suspect next to her bed. The suspect had a knife and instructed her not to make noise. He told her to undress and then he raped her,” says Thakeng.

A case of rape was registered and assigned to Det. Sgt. MA Raletin of the Welkom Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit.