Tlhabane: The Acting Provincial Commissioner of North West, Major General Patrick Asaneng, has expressed his approval of the life sentence handed down to Ben Sedireng Jacob by the Bafokeng Regional Court in Tlhabane. Jacob, aged 55, was sentenced for the kidnapping and rape of his ex-girlfriend, which occurred in October 2023 at the Bethel Section, Kanana village outside Rustenburg.
According to South African Police Service, the victim was on her way to Covid View when Jacob confronted her, accusing her of being en route to meet a new boyfriend. The reports indicate that he assaulted her, pushing her into a stream, and subjected her to further violence, including strangulation and biting. Jacob then forced her to accompany him to a friend's house, where he raped her. The following day, the victim reported the incident to the Boitekong police station, leading to an investigation by the Rustenburg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.
Jacob was apprehended four days later and underwent several court appearances before being found guilty. In addition to the life sentence for rape, he received an extra five-year sentence for kidnapping.
Major General Asaneng commended the efforts of Investigating Officer Warrant Officer Phenyo Monchusi, the prosecution, and other contributors to the case. He emphasized that the sentence reflects the determination of law enforcement and judicial bodies to tackle the serious issue of Gender Based Violence and Femicide, particularly sexual violence against women, and to protect the rights of vulnerable individuals in society.