BONUS - RUSTENBURG - The Acting Provincial Commissioner of North West, Maj Gen Patrick Asaneng, has welcomed a life sentence handed down to 55-year-old Ben Sedireng Jacob by the Bafokeng Regional Court in Tlhabane on Thursday, 31 July.
According to information received from North West provincial police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone, Jacob was sentenced for kidnapping and raping his ex-girlfriend, then aged 24, in October 2023, at Bethel Section, Kanana Village outside Rustenburg.
According to reports, the complainant was on her way to Covid View when Jacob approached and grabbed her from behind. The convict who accused the victim of rushing to her new boyfriend, assaulted her with fists and pushed her into the stream. He further strangled and bit her on the face. The accused forced the victim to go with him to his friend's place where he raped her.
Upon being released the next day, the complainant went to Boitekong police station to register a case, which was investigated by the Rustenburg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.
The accused was arrested four days later. He made several court appearances until he was found guilty and sentenced to life for rape. He was also given an additional five years for kidnapping.
Major General Asaneng thanked the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Phenyo Monchusi, the prosecution and all other role players for working together to secure the conviction. He said that the sentence is a clear affirmation of the commitment and dedication of the police and prosecution to deal decisively with the pandemic of Gender-based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) in particular sexual violence against defenceless women whose rights are violated by heartless men.
