Man sentenced to life for kidnapping and raping ex-girlfriend

A man who kidnapped and raped his ex-lover will serve a life term behind bars after being sentenced in the Tlhabane Regional Court in the North West. 

Ben Sedireng Jacobs, 54, was sentenced for the brutal rape of his 24-year-old ex-girlfriend, which occurred on October 4, last year. 

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya, said in addition to the life sentence for the rape, he would serve a concurrent sentence of five years for kidnapping.

Gunya said: “The charges stem from a tragic incident on 4 October 2024, in Tlhabane near Rustenburg. Evidence presented in court revealed that the victim, who cannot be named to protect her identity, was walking in a secluded area when she was accosted by Jacobs. He began strangling and physically assaulting her, biting her cheek so severely that the wound extended inside her mouth. 

“Jacobs then dragged the victim to a friend’s residence, where he asked to spend the night. Though initially reluctant, the friend eventually agreed and provided a shack at the back of the property. Jacobs then sexually assaulted the victim throughout the night.”

The following day, the victim reported the incident to the police, and Jacobs, who was out on parole for a different rape sentence, was arrested. 

He has remained in custody since his arrest. 

“Despite pleading not guilty, Jacobs was convicted based on overwhelming evidence presented by the prosecution. It also emerged during the trial that Jacobs had a previous conviction for rape and was out on parole at the time of the offence,” said Gunya.

According to StatsSA’s 2023/2024 Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey, about 34% of females reported that a spouse or intimate partner was the perpetrator of assault. 

The survey further revealed that 57,3% of female individuals reported that a known person was the perpetrator of assault, which includes friend/acquaintance, spouse or intimate partner, relative or other household member.

The same survey detailed that more females (45,7%) felt very unsafe walking alone at night in their neighbourhood compared to males (35,7%). 

In aggravation of sentence, prosecutor Orlinah Mputla argued that the court needed to protect women and children from individuals like the accused.

Mputla urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment, highlighting the severity of the injuries and the permanent physical and emotional scars inflicted on the complainant.

In her judgment, magistrate Shibu Mamabolo emphasised that the community must be protected from offenders of this nature.

She noted the accused’s lack of remorse and his deliberate targeting of a vulnerable individual. 

Gunya said: “The NPA welcomes the sentence as a reaffirmation of the justice system’s unwavering commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of victims of sexual violence.”

chevon.booysen@inl.co.za