A man has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for raping a woman at her home in Bloemfontein.
The Sexual Offences Court convicted Lehlohonolo Weleman of rape and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm, and his details will be added to the National Register for Sexual Offenders.
The court heard that in the early hours of 27 December 2024, the 38-year-old victim was asleep at her home in Matatiele Location after attending a family gathering when the accused broke a window and entered the house.
Weleman, who had been raised by the victim’s father as an orphan in their church community, threatened her with a knife before raping her. After the attack, the victim managed to report the crime to police the following morning, leading to his arrest.
On 27 February 2026, the court handed Weleman a lengthy sentence, ensuring he will spend decades behind bars. Authorities said the conviction highlights the justice system’s determination to hold perpetrators of gender-based violence accountable.
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