Lesotho national sentenced to effective 40 years for rape in Eastern Cape
A Lesotho national was sentenced to an effective 40 years in prison after the Sterkspruit Regional Court convicted him of raping an 18-year-old woman three times and contravening the Immigration Act.
Lesotho national Tisetso Maoeng, 34, received a 40-year prison sentence in Sterkspruit Regional Court for rape in the Eastern Cape. The case, reported by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional Spokesperson Luxolo Tyali, centers around an incident on September 24, 2025 near Palmietfontein. An 18-year-old girl, sent by her grandmother to a local spaza shop, was confronted by Maoeng who demanded her cellphone number.
When she declined, the man became aggressive. Maoeng grabbed the victim, attempted to kiss her, and despite her cries for help, raped her in broad daylight on an open field. The victim returned home the next morning, promising to come back later. However, Maoeng turned back before she reached home and reported the incident to her aunt.
The victim immediately filed a police report. During the trial, compelling evidence was presented, including testimony from the victim, her aunt, and a medical report. The accused claimed the encounters were consensual, but the court found his version to be false beyond a reasonable doubt. In addition to the rape charges, Maoeng was also found guilty of contravening the Immigration Act.
The court sentenced him to one year for the Immigration Act violation and 20 years for each of the three rape counts, with portions of the sentences running concurrently, resulting in a total of 40 years. The Director of Public Prosecutions for the Eastern Cape Division commended the prosecution team and law enforcement for their professionalism and commitment to combating gender-based violence.
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