Rapist to be included in the sexual offender’s register after receiving 18 years jail term

THE Burgersfort Regional Court in Limpopo has ordered that the name of convicted rapist, Tebogo Hendrick Maphanga, be included in the National Register for Sexual Offenders (NRSO).

This was after Maphanga  (50) was on Tuesday found guilty and sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for the rape of a 14-year old girl in Praktiseer Segorong Section on 22 July 2022.

Evidence in court showed that Maphanga went to the victim’s residence to buy cigarettes. The victim opened the door and then went to fetch the cigarettes from another room.

Maphanga then followed her to the room where he forcefully pinned her on the floor, tied her hands with shoelaces and raped her.

After the ordeal, the victim reported the matter to her parents who were attending a night vigil at the neighbour’s house. The incident was reported to the police and Maphanga was taken into custody where he remained until his conviction and sentence.

The court ordered that his name be included in the NRSO, and he was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Facts about the NRSO

• The NRSO was established by an Act of Parliament in 2007.
• The Amendment Act, amendment 13 of 2021 has extended the scope of protection to vulnerable persons.

• It is a record of names of those found guilty of sexual offences against vulnerable persons.
• The register gives employers in the public or private sectors such as schools; crèches and hospitals the obligation to check that the person being hired is fit to work with vulnerable persons.
• Being found guilty of a sexual offence against vulnerable persons will result in one’s name being put on the National Register.
• The Register seeks to ensure that offenders do not work with vulnerable persons.
• Convicted sex offenders are also not allowed to apply for foster care or adoption, or to work with children.
• Employers have a legal obligation to ensure that particulars of an individual placed in charge of vulnerable persons are vetted against the NRSO. (Source: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development)