A 28-year-old man from Limpopo has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for raping three teenage girls, the South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed.
The Polokwane High Court found Freddy Moraka Modibedi guilty of multiple crimes, including rape, kidnapping and robbery. The offences took place between 3 and 17 September 2022 in Mmotong Ga-Mabotja, Mpone and Boratapelo.
How the crimes happened
Modibedi targeted teenage girls between the ages of 15 and 17. He approached the victims, threatened them with a knife, robbed them of their belongings, and then raped them.
The cases were reported to the Seshego and Matlala police stations. They were later transferred to the Seshego Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for further investigation. Sergeant Nation Teffo from the FCS Unit was assigned to investigate. After almost a year on the run, Modibedi was arrested and linked to the crimes through police investigations.
Court proceedings and sentencing
Modibedi first appeared in the Seshego and Matlala Magistrates’ Courts before the cases were transferred to the Polokwane High Court. He was convicted and sentenced as follows:
Count 1: Kidnapping – 6 years imprisonment
Count 2: Rape – 30 years imprisonment
Count 3: Robbery – 13 years imprisonment
Count 4: Kidnapping – 6 years imprisonment
Count 5: Rape – 30 years imprisonment
Count 7: Kidnapping – 6 years imprisonment
Count 8: Rape – 30 years imprisonment
The court ruled that most of the sentences would run concurrently, leaving him with an effective 30-year sentence. However, five years of the sentence were suspended on condition that he does not commit any sexual offence during the suspension period.
Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner welcomes the ruling
Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe welcomed the sentence, praising the work of investigators and officers who ensured justice was served for the victims and their families. “We appreciate efforts by the investigating officer, and everyone involved in cases until justice was served to the victims and their families,” said Lieutenant- General Hadebe.
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