Scholar transport driver made inappropriate advances on teenage girl before raping her

THE Burgersfort Regional Court in Limpopo has sentenced 28-year-old Tolerate Matala Makofane to 17 years' direct imprisonment after he was convicted of the rape of a 14-year-old schoolgirl.

- JONISAYI MAROMO

The court also ordered that Mafokane's name be registered in the child sexual offences register.

"On 15 May 2024, at approximately 5pm, the victim was raped by the accused at a secluded area near Ikhwezi village in the Burgersfort policing area," said provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.

"The incident occurred when the victim's regular scholar transport was full, and the driver instructed her to seek alternative transportation.

Tolerate (Mafokane), who operated as another school transport driver, agreed to transport the victim home." After the teenager sat on the front passenger seat of his vehicle, Makofane made "inappropriate advances" toward the child.