Limpopo man jailed for life for rape of seven-year-old in Pulaneng Village

A 33-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after a court found him guilty of raping a seven-year-old girl in Pulaneng Village, Limpopo.

Court hands down life term

Tebogo Raymond Malatji appeared before the Naphuno Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, and was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape.

What happened

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the incident occurred on January 8, 2024, while the victim was walking home from school with friends. Ledwaba said Malatji confronted the group, chased them, grabbed the victim and dragged her to nearby bushes, where he instructed her to lie on the ground and then raped her.

Ledwaba said the victim’s friends sought help from family members who responded to the scene, but the suspect had already fled on foot to evade arrest. The matter was reported to the local police and a rape case was opened.

Investigation and arrest

The docket was transferred to the Tzaneen FCS Unit for further investigation. Constable Terry Ngobeni was assigned to the case and, on January 10, 2024, successfully traced and arrested the accused at Pulaneng Village, Ledwaba said.

Ledwaba said the investigating officer opposed bail throughout the trial and ensured that the suspect remained in custody until his life-term sentencing.

Police reaction

“This life sentence sends a clear message that perpetrators of gender-based violence will face the full might of the law. I commend Constable Terry Ngobeni for his diligence in ensuring that justice was served for the victim. Let this sentence serve as a warning to the perpetrators,”

said Limpopo provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers.

Separate manhunt after three minors raped

In a separate incident, Limpopo police launched a manhunt for two suspects after three minors were raped in the bushes near Khujwana Village. The incident took place at about 11pm.

Ledwaba said a petrol attendant contacted the victims’ mother on Sunday, August 9, at about 3:45am to inform her that the three girls, aged between 14 and 17, were at the garage and needed police assistance after allegedly being dropped off by a vehicle following a sexual assault.

Preliminary investigations, Ledwaba said, revealed that the victims, who are residents of Lephepane Village, were approached by two unknown male suspects driving a red Toyota Corolla with an unknown registration number. The suspects allegedly lured the victims by asking them to accompany them to a tavern to buy food, drove to a secluded bush area in Khujwana Village, forcefully undressed and raped the three girls, then dropped them on the road next to the filling station.

Police are investigating three rape cases and have urged anyone with information to contact the investigating officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Isaac Mahlane, at 082 469 2625, or Crime Stop at 08600 10111, or to visit their nearest police station. Information can also be shared via the MySAPS mobile application.