BURGERSFORT SCHOLAR TRANSPORTER SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS FOR RAPING 14-YEAR-OLD SCHOOLGIRL

BURGERSFORT SCHOLAR TRANSPORTER SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS FOR RAPING 14-YEAR-OLD SCHOOLGIRL

POLOKWANE – The Burgersfort Regional Court sentenced Makofane Matala Tolerate (28) to 17 years direct imprisonment on Wednesday, 03 September 2025, for the rape of a 14-year-old schoolgirl. The court also ordered that his name be registered in the Child Sexual Offences Register.

On 15 May 2024, at approximately 17:00, the victim was raped by the accused at a secluded area near Ikhwezi village in the Burgersfort policing area.

The incident occurred when the victim’s regular scholar transport was full, and the driver instructed her to seek alternative transportation. Tolerate, who operated as another school transport driver, agreed to transport the victim home.

After the victim entered the front passenger seat of his vehicle, Makofane made inappropriate advances toward the child. When the victim responded that she was still a child, the accused ignored her protests and drove to a secluded area where he parked and locked the vehicle doors.

The accused then raped the victim. When she attempted to resist by pushing him away, he began strangling her. Fearing for her life, the victim was forced to submit to the assault. After the rape, the accused drove the victim home.

The victim initially did not report the incident. On 16 May 2024, she contacted her sister and disclosed that Makofane raped her. The sister immediately informed their mother.

On 17 May 2024, the victim’s parents took her to Dilokong Thuthuzela Care Centre for medical attention before proceeding to Burgersfort Police Station to open a case.

The case was transferred to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit and assigned to Detective Constable Julian Mphahlele for investigation.The suspect was arrested the following day.

The investigating officer opposed the bail application; however, the court granted bail to the accused. Detective Constable Mphahlele worked closely with Public Prosecutor Mr. Ngoako Petlo throughout the case until the accused was successfully convicted and sentenced.

The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the sentence, stating:

“This conviction serves as a stern warning to those who prey on our children. The sentence of 17 years imprisonment, combined with registration in the Child Sexual Offences Register, ensures that this predator will be removed from our communities and monitored upon release. I commend Detective Constable Mphahlele and Prosecutor Ngoako Petlo for their dedication in securing justice for this young victim. We urge parents and communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior involving children immediately.”