Two Northern Cape men face justice: Lengthy prison sentences for child rape crimes
Two men in the Northern Cape have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for crimes against children.
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The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Northern Cape has welcomed the lengthy prison sentences handed down to two men in separate court cases for horrific sexual crimes committed against young children.
In both matters, the courts heard how the perpetrators weaponised positions of trust to exploit their vulnerable victims.
In Mothibistad, the Regional Court sentenced 66-year-old Moeletsi Kgatlhane to 10 years’ direct imprisonment for the attempted rape of a 7-year-old girl. The incident occurred in January 2024 when the victim and her older brother went to Kgatlhane’s house to buy sweets from his home tuck shop.
Kgatlhane separated the siblings by asking the young girl to wash his dishes, while he sent her brother outside to chase birds away from his fruit trees. He then took the child into his bedroom and attempted to rape her. The traumatised child wept and begged him to stop until he eventually let her go.
During the aggravation of sentence, Regional Court Prosecutor Bernice Bronkhorst-Oor argued that Kgatlhane had shattered the immense faith placed in him by the community. Despite the accused pleading for mitigation by highlighting his background as a former school teacher, a published author, and the founder of two academies, the court agreed with the State that direct imprisonment was the only suitable punishment.
Kgatlhane was found guilty on June 15, 2026, following a trial where the young victim cried throughout her testimony. In addition to his prison term, Kgatlhane's name has been entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders, he has been declared unfit to work with children, and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Meanwhile, in Kathu, the Regional Court handed down an effective 20-year prison sentence to 39-year-old Tebogo Christopher Sebogodi for rape, creating child pornography, and child grooming. Sebogodi’s crimes were uncovered by chance when his girlfriend’s sister borrowed his mobile phone to look at photos and discovered a highly disturbing video recording. The footage showed Sebogodi performing sexual acts on his girlfriend's 9-year-old daughter.
Investigations subsequently revealed that Sebogodi had repeatedly abused the child at night while her mother was away and had left him to babysit. Regional Court Prosecutor Kekeletso Lekota slammed Sebogodi’s actions as a heinous betrayal of care, arguing that he posed a severe danger to society. The court sentenced Sebogodi as follows:
The sentences for pornography and grooming will run concurrently with the rape count, meaning Sebogodi will serve an effective 20 years behind bars.
NPA regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane stated that the prosecuting authority remains steadfast in its offensive against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and crimes targeting children. "Such offences strike at the very fabric of society and violate the constitutional rights, dignity, and safety of our most vulnerable citizens," Senokoatsane said.
"Through diligent prosecution and strong collaboration with law enforcement, the NPA will continue to prioritise the protection of children and deliver justice for victims and their families. Every successful prosecution sends a strong message that those who prey on children will face the full might of the law."
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