EX-BOYFRIEND SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE AND ASSAULT IN MATLALA
POLOKWANE – The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed the hefty sentence handed down to a 33-year-old accused, Makgoba Alpheus Machabaphala, who was convicted and sentenced by the Seshego Regional Court for rape and multiple related offences.
The conviction stems from an incident on 29 September 2023, when the accused forcefully gained entry into the residence of his ex-girlfriend in the Matlala policing area and raped her. During the ordeal, the accused also threatened the victim and demanded that she cancel an existing protection order she had previously obtained against him. The matter was reported to the police the following day and later transferred to the Seshego Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for investigation.
Through meticulous investigative work by Detective Constable Rotshidzwa Judith Mafadza, the accused was traced and arrested on 27 October 2023. He was denied bail at his first appearance and remained in custody until the finalisation of the case.
On 20 October 2025, the Seshego Regional Court found the accused guilty on all charges. He was sentenced on 01 December 2025 as follows:
Life Imprisonment for Rape
4 Years Imprisonment for Contravention of the Domestic Violence Act
4 Years Imprisonment for Assault GBH
4 Years Imprisonment for Assault
Lieutenant General Hadebe commended the dedication of the investigating officer and the FCS Unit in securing this significant conviction, noting that such outcomes reinforce the SAPS commitment to protecting victims of gender-based violence.
“We applaud the our investigator for his meticulous approach of this case resulting in such a sentence buy our court. This sentence is a testament of our commitment in permanently removing those who have no respect for the women and chlidren rights as accorded by the law.” Concluded the Provincial Commissioner General Hadebe.
