A man (36) from the Free State has been sentenced to 20 years of direct imprisonment for the rape of his mother.
The incident, which left Ezenzeleni kasi residents in Warden, Harrismith, reeling in shock, happened in January 2025.
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Police spokesman Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring said the 55-year-old woman was asleep in her bedroom when she heard a window opening.
He said that upon investigating, because the room light was on, she saw her son entering through the window.
“He indicated that he had returned home and wanted to sleep with her. When she refused, he assaulted her, forcefully undressed her, and raped her. Neighbours assisted the victim and reported the incident to the police,” said Mophiring.
He said the man was subsequently arrested. He was denied bail and remained in custody throughout the trial.
The rapist son was found guilty of rape and sentenced to 20 years of direct imprisonment at the Harrismith Regional Court on Friday, 20 March.
“This sentence sends a strong message that violence against women and children will not be tolerated, and perpetrators will face the full might of the law,” said Mophiring.
A 70-year-old madala, Taole Eric Tlatsa, has been handed 25 years of direct imprisonment for armed robbery.
The pensioner tsotsi was sentenced by the Virginia Regional Court on Friday, 20 March.
Police said that between 2019 and 2022, a sophisticated criminal syndicate, led by Tlatsa and a group of armed accomplices, systematically targeted 13 clothing chain stores from different towns around the province.
“Their cold and calculated modus operandi involved entering stores under the guise of being ordinary customers, overpowering staff and customers at gunpoint.”
“Suspects used cable ties to bind victims before holding them captive in storerooms while looting large sums of cash, high-end mobile devices, and merchandise,” said police spokesman Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli.
He said the investigation by Sergeant Morena Machalotsa of the Provincial Organised Crime Unit led to the arrest of eight robbers. It revealed that Tlatsa acted as the organiser of an informal criminal organisation, coordinating the planning and execution of these robberies.
A separation of trials has been granted for the remaining eight co-accused, whose legal proceedings are continuing.
“This sentence sends a clear message to syndicates that the SAPS will tirelessly pursue those who organize and execute violent crimes against our business community.”
“We commend the investigative team and the 70 witnesses who stood ready to ensure justice was served,” said Free State Acting Provincial Commissioner Major-General Apaphia Modise.
Police have arrested two men in connection with the murder of Lwazi Roji from Mdantsane, KuGompo.
This breakthrough follows an incident where the lifeless body of an unknown African male was found dumped with a gunshot wound to the head at Sandile Dam in Keiskammahoek on 15 March 2026.
At the time the body was found, there were no clues or leads to follow, as the deceased was unknown.
“Through diligent investigation, detectives positively identified the deceased as Lwazi Roji of Mdantsane, KuGompo. From information received by the detectives during the investigation, it was discovered that the deceased left home with the alleged suspect to drop the mechanic at Dimbaza, and they never returned home.”
“This led to his arrest and the recovery of the motor vehicle that had been given to them by the deceased’s mother,” said police spokeswoman Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa.
She said further investigation led detectives to a yard belonging to a family member of the suspect, where the stripped vehicle belonging to the deceased’s mother was recovered.
The suspect was later arrested in Clubview, Qonce. Continued investigations led detectives to Mngqesha Location, where a firearm was recovered and a second suspect was immediately arrested.
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“Both suspects were charged with murder, and a case of theft of a motor vehicle was added for the first suspect.”
“Because the other suspect was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm, a case was also added for him,” said Mawisa.
