The Acting District Commissioner of the John Taolo Gaetsewe District, Brigadier Kenneth Baloyi, has publicly commended Detective Constable Pako Bele of the Kathu Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for his diligent investigative work, which led to the conviction and sentencing of a rape perpetrator.
On Tuesday, 26 May 2026, the Regional Court in Kathu found 21-year-old Randy Jacobus Leeuw guilty of rape and sentenced him to eight years’ imprisonment, with two years suspended for a period of five years.
According to evidence presented in court, the incident occurred on Saturday, 11 May 2024. At approximately 19:00, the accused met the 25-year-old victim at a tavern in Deben and proposed a romantic relationship, which she declined. Later that evening, Leeuw approached the victim again, forcibly dragged her outside the tavern into nearby bushes where it was dark, pushed her to the ground, and raped her.
During the assault, another man known to the victim passed by and intervened, assisting her and causing the accused to flee the scene. The matter was subsequently reported to the police, and a case of assault was registered and allocated to Detective Constable Bele for investigation.
Brigadier Baloyi praised Detective Constable Bele’s thoroughness and professionalism throughout the investigative process, noting that his efforts were instrumental in ensuring the accused was held accountable under the law.
Following sentencing, the court further declared Randy Jacobus Leeuw unfit to possess a firearm and ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
The South African Police Service reaffirmed its commitment to combating gender-based violence and ensuring that perpetrators of sexual offences face the full consequences of their actions.
