North West man sentenced to 30 years for raping 15-year-old girl Man sentenced to 30 years for raping 15-year-old girl. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Media A 32-year-old man who was linked through DNA evidence to the rape of a 15-year-old girl has been sentenced to 30 years’ direct imprisonment by the Molopo Regional Court in the North West. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the conviction and sentence of Akanyang Tlhoke, who was found guilty of raping the teenager in 2019. NPA
10/06/26 • 29 Mga view
Man sentenced to 30 years for raping 15-year-old girl.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Media
A 32-year-old man who was linked through DNA evidence to the rape of a 15-year-old girl has been sentenced to 30 years’ direct imprisonment by the Molopo Regional Court in the North West.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the conviction and sentence of Akanyang Tlhoke, who was found guilty of raping the teenager in 2019.
NPA regional spokesperson Lindiwe Mabasa said the court heard that on September 20, 2019, the victim was on her way to visit a friend in Mosiane View when she was accosted by Tlhoke.
Tlhoke, who was not known to the girl, was armed with a knife and forced her into nearby bushes, where he raped her.
Following the incident, investigators conducted an extensive investigation that ultimately led to Tlhoke being identified through DNA evidence.
Faced with the evidence presented by the State, Tlhoke subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge.
Mabasa said the State, represented by Advocate Kefentse Diseko, argued that Tlhoke should receive the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment, citing the serious nature of the offence.
However, the court found that substantial and compelling circumstances existed to justify a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence.
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