Rapist boasts of good living in jail
Life has been unbearable for a 68-year-old mother from Lotlhakane East, near Kanye, whose 16-year-old daughter was raped and later gave birth. The DNA-confirmed father, Accrie Ramotshabi (33), now boasts of living comfortably in prison.
The frustrated mother on Monday, told the rapist after his appearance at Kanye Magistrate Court that she wants nothing from him, even after he completes his jail sentence. Ramotshabi told the magistrate that he had diarrhoea that persisted all week and prevented him from standing. The magistrate asked if he had sought medical attention and said the trial would proceed, allowing for health breaks if needed, none of which he requested.
The investigating officer, Detective Constable Keabetswe Tshekiso, revealed that on 13 April 2022, the victim’s mother noticed her minor daughter was pregnant. Upon questioning, the young girl disclosed that Ramotshabi, who practices as a traditional healer, had slept with her without using a condom.
He allegedly threatened to bewitch the victim’s mother, causing her death, if she refused. Fearing for her mother’s safety, the daughter agreed.
Upon receiving the report, Detective Constable Tshekiso traced Ramotshabi and located him in Mahalapye. He was ordered to report to Kanye Police. When he arrived, Ramotshabi denied ever having had sex with the minor.
As the pregnancy had already progressed, the investigating officer waited for the daughter to give birth. A DNA test was conducted, which confirmed that Ramotshabi was the father. He was then charged with rape.
When the magistrate asked Ramotshabi if he wished to cross-examine the investigating officer, he said he had nothing to say. The magistrate then paused proceedings for a health break as the accused reported having diarrhoea earlier.
During the break, Ramotshabi boasted that he was 'living large' in prison, claiming he did not spend money and ate whatever he wanted. He even expressed a desire to be transferred to the larger prison in Mahalapye rather than remain at the smaller Kanye facility.
According to the victim’s mother, Ramotshabi raped her daughter when he visited Lotlhakane East with his girlfriend, who was a family friend. The mother had accommodated him during the visit, but the assault occurred during that period.
Relaying her pain to The Midweek Sun, the devastated mother said her daughter no longer wants the child. She admitted that she sometimes scolds the daughter and leaves her to cry, as Ramotshabi’s actions have left them with a deep emotional scar.
She revealed that the baby is a girl and insisted that Ramotshabi must not be allowed near her, fearing he might rape her as well.
'Ga ke batle mosimane yo tota,' the mother said, further revealing that Ramotshabi had destroyed her daughter’s future. Her daughter was in Form Five and struggled academically, never performing well in her exams. The case has been scheduled to continue on February 23, 2026.