02/11/2025
The Polokwane High Court has convicted and sentenced 32-year-old Mahlatse Tolonyane Mathote Matebane, from Manapyane Village, to an effective 25 years of direct imprisonment for a series of violent crimes committed across the policing areas of Motetema, Rakgoadi and Dennilton under the Sekhukhune District.
The sentence follows extensive investigations conducted by Detective Sergeant Raymond Phago, attached to the Sekhukhune District Investigation and Tracking Task Team, who successfully linked the accused to several cases of r**e, attempted murder, robbery, housebreaking, and possession of unlicensed fi****ms and ammunition.
On 30 October 2025, the Polokwane High Court found the accused guilty on nine counts. The total sentence amounted to 125 years’ imprisonment. The court, however, ordered that counts two to nine run concurrently with count one, resulting in an effective sentence of 25 years’ direct imprisonment.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Major General Jan Scheepers, has commended the investigating officer and all members involved in ensuring that justice was served. “This sentencing sends a clear message that gender-based violence and acts of brutality will not be tolerated. The dedication of our investigators in linking the accused to multiple cases is commendable and demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable members of our communities,” said Major General Scheepers.
