Scholar transport driver made inappropriate advances on teenage girl before raping her
Tolerate Matala Makofane, aged 28, was sentenced to 17 years in jail by the Burgersfort Regional Court in Limpopo for raping a 14-year-old schoolgirl.
Image: File
The Burgersfort Regional Court in Limpopo has sentenced 28-year-old Tolerate Matala Makofane to 17 years' direct imprisonment after he was convicted of the rape of a 14-year-old schoolgirl.
The court also ordered that Mafokane’s name be registered in the child sexual offences register.
“On 15 May 2024, at approximately 5 pm, the victim was raped by the accused at a secluded area near Ikhwezi village in the Burgersfort policing area,” said provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.
“The incident occurred when the victim's regular scholar transport was full, and the driver instructed her to seek alternative transportation. Tolerate (Mafokane), who operated as another school transport driver, agreed to transport the victim home.”
After the teenager sat on the front passenger seat of his vehicle, Makofane made “inappropriate advances” toward the child.
“When the victim responded that she was still a child, the accused ignored her protests and drove to a secluded area where he parked and locked the vehicle doors. The accused then raped the victim,” said Ledwaba.
“When she attempted to resist by pushing him away, he began strangling her. Fearing for her life, the victim was forced to submit to the assault. After the rape, the accused drove the victim home.”
Initially, the victim did not report the incident.
On 16 May 2024, police said the teenager contacted her sister and disclosed that Makofane raped her. The sister immediately informed their mother.
On 17 May 2024, the victim's parents took her to Dilokong Thuthuzela Care Centre for medical attention before proceeding to Burgersfort police station to open a case.
The case was transferred to the family violence, child protection and sexual offences (FCS) unit and assigned to Detective Constable Julian Mphahlele for investigation.
The taxi driver was arrested the following day.
In court, the investigating officer opposed Mafokane’s bail application. However, the court released Mafokane on bail.
“Detective Constable Mphahlele worked closely with Public Prosecutor Ngoako Petlo throughout the case until the accused was successfully convicted and sentenced,” said Ledwaba.
Meanwhile, provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the conviction and sentencing of the rapist.
"This conviction serves as a stern warning to those who prey on our children. The sentence of 17 years imprisonment, combined with registration in the child sexual offences register, ensures that this predator will be removed from our communities and monitored upon release,” said Hadebe.
“I commend Detective Constable Mphahlele and Prosecutor Ngoako Petlo for their dedication in securing justice for this young victim.
“We urge parents and communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior involving children immediately,” she appealed.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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