A 33-year-old man has been sentenced to 24 years in prison after being convicted of rape and house robbery.

Bloemfontein Courant reports that, according to local police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli, the incident occurred on August 17, 2023, when a 16-year-old girl was preparing to leave for school. She heard disturbances coming from the kitchen and her parents’ bedroom, suggesting an intruder was ransacking the house. Upon investigating, she encountered the perpetrator, who then turned his attention to her.

“The suspect entered her bedroom, threatened her with a knife, stole her money, and proceeded to rape her before fleeing the scene,” states Kareli. “The victim later informed her parents, leading to a case of house robbery and rape being registered at the Bloemspruit Police Station.”

Detective Sergeant Bessie Nthoba of the Mangaung Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit led the investigation, with support from NPA Advocate Ronel Botha. Through meticulous police work, the suspect — Edward Thabiso Botsieloa — was identified, tracked down, and arrested.

Botsieloa was charged and brought to trial, where he was found guilty on both counts. The court handed down 12 years for house robbery and an additional 12 years for rape, resulting in a combined 24-year sentence.

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