Northern Cape schoolgirls raped, stabbed and left for dead - attacker gets double life

A MAN who took part in a harrowing attack on two schoolgirls in a Northern Cape village has been sentenced to two life terms and an additional 45 years behind bars.

NPA regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said that Thabo Gift Magwatane, 33, was handed the hefty sentence by the Mothibistad Regional Court this week for a string of serious offences, including rape, kidnapping, attempted murder and housebreaking. 

The charges stem from a night of terror in February 2022 in Dithakong village, where two matric learners, aged 17 and 18, were targeted in their residence.

Magwatane and three accomplices reportedly forced their way into the house, cut the power, and demanded money and phones. After taking R100 and two cellphones, the attackers escalated their cruelty - forcing the girls to strip, blindfolding them, and leading them out into the veld wearing only sandals.

There, the girls were subjected to repeated rape by more than one of the attackers. Their ordeal worsened when they were stabbed multiple times in what appeared to be an attempt to kill them. One girl was stabbed again after briefly regaining consciousness - only pretending to be dead saved her life.

“After the [sexual] assaults, one perpetrator ordered another to stab the victims, who were attacked repeatedly across their upper bodies. As they collapsed, their blindfolds were removed, and the perpetrators fled. When one survivor stood up, the perpetrators returned, stabbing her multiple times with instructions to ‘finish her off’,” said Senokoatsane.

During this second attack, a cellphone alarm went off - allowing one of the victims, who was feigning death, to catch a glimpse of one of her attackers as he tried to switch it off. She recognised him as her cousin’s boyfriend - Magwatane.

After the attackers fled, the two survivors lay motionless in the veld for nearly half an hour before mustering the strength to help each other find assistance. Turned away at one home, they pressed on to another, where residents took them in, gave them blankets, and contacted their parents. Both girls were later admitted to the ICU, where they spent three weeks undergoing reconstructive surgery and recovering from their extensive injuries.

Magwatane evaded capture for nearly two years before he was finally arrested in Rustenburg in early 2024.

He faced multiple charges, including housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, as well as the kidnapping and rape of the 18-year-old victim. He was also charged with kidnapping, rape, and attempted murder of the 17-year-old. A second suspect, 25-year-old Obakeng Mosesane, remains in custody, with his trial scheduled for July 2, 2025. The two cases were separated after Magwatane absconded during the initial proceedings.

Trauma, survival, and a fight for justice

With Magwatane finally in the dock, the court proceedings laid bare the full horror of the crimes.

“Regional court prosecutor Bernice Bronkhorst-Oor presented a compelling case, supported by victim impact statements compiled with court preparation officer Beauty Moreeng. These statements detailed the survivors’ profound physical and emotional trauma, including their ongoing fear and loss of safety in their own homes. Bronkhorst-Oor argued that the brutality of the crimes and their lasting impact far outweighed Magwatane’s circumstances. The Kuruman Hospital Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) played a pivotal role, providing psychosocial support and preparing the survivors for court,” said Senokoatsane.

The prosecution maintained that there were no substantial or compelling reasons to warrant anything less than the mandatory life sentences for the rape charges. The magistrate concurred, describing the victims’ survival as “by God’s grace” and labelling Magwatane a “dangerous individual” who should be permanently removed from society.

Magwatane was sentenced to five years for housebreaking and theft, 10 years each for two counts of kidnapping, and two life terms for the rapes. He also received 10 years each for two counts of attempted murder. All sentences will run concurrently. In addition, he was declared unfit to possess a firearm and placed on the National Register for Sex Offenders - further measures to safeguard the public.

Senokoatsane said the NPA praised both young women for their courage and determination throughout the trial process.

This outcome sends a powerful message: the NPA will relentlessly pursue justice for GBV survivors, ensuring perpetrators face the full might of the law. The expansion of TCCs from 55 in 2020/21 to 66 today reflects the NPA’s commitment to providing comprehensive support to victims of sexual violence, he added.

Senokoatsane further urged the public to report all gender-based violence and support survivors in seeking help

“The NPA urges communities to stand against GBV by reporting crimes promptly and supporting survivors through TCCs, which offer medical, psychological, and legal assistance. The survivors’ persistence in seeking help, despite initial rejection, and their parents’ swift response highlight the critical role of collective action. 

“The NPA calls for increased vigilance to protect learners and vulnerable populations, fostering a South Africa where everyone can live free from violence and fear.”