Qwaqwa man who broke into an 80-year-old woman's home and raped her gets 25 years

A 23-year-old man from Makeneng Village in Qwaqwa has been sentenced to 25 years’ direct imprisonment for breaking into an elderly woman’s home and raping her.

Paballo Ntsala was convicted and sentenced on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, according to a South African Police Service statement issued by the office of the Free State provincial commissioner. The case was presided over by Magistrate Msimanga, with Ms Nteo representing the prosecution, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Warrant Officer Mphamo Mokoena of the Phuthaditjhaba Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.

The attack happened on 8 February 2022. The woman, who was 80 years old at the time, was asleep at her home in Makeneng Village when she heard the sound of her dining room window breaking. She went to investigate and found an unknown man in the corridor, who threatened to kill her if she made any noise.

The man demanded money. She told him she had none. He assaulted her and dragged her into the bedroom, where he raped her. He then took her cellphone and purse and left her with a swollen face.

The suspect was traced and arrested after an investigation, with assistance from the community, the police statement says.

The Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia, welcomed the sentence and commended the police and prosecution team for their work on the case. He emphasised the importance of working together to combat crime and protect vulnerable members of society.

The statement, issued through Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring, is a summary of the case and sentence rather than the court record itself. The canonical SAPS statement is available at https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=71804.