"Underwear Didn’t Lie": Alleged Rapist Jailed for Life After Granny’s Attack here is what happened

[Mahwelereng court sentenced Kabelo Monethe to life for rape.]

In a small Limpopo village where everyone knows everyone, a horrifying incident has ended with a community’s sigh of relief—and a very unexpected clue that sealed the rapist’s fate.

In Mmapela at Ga-Chaba Village, 33-year-old Kabelo Prince Monethe has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of raping a 68-year-old gogo in her own home back in December 2023. But it wasn’t just traditional police work that cracked the case—it was a piece of underwear that didn’t just expose him, but buried him.

According to Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the suspect left behind his underwear at the crime scene. When residents spotted it, they immediately recognised it as Kabelo’s, prompting a wave of community-led action that helped police arrest him on the very same day.

The Mahwelereng Regional Court delivered the sentence on Thursday, 17 July 2025, bringing closure to a case that had left locals shaken. The judgment was met with strong emotion and fierce approval from community members, who had been waiting months to see justice served.

"It's painful because we know this man in the community. We welcome the arrest and hope it sends a strong message to other criminals targeting women and kids," said Dimpho Molapo, a local resident.

Another local, Dorah Magongwa, added: "The case dragged on, but we're happy with the result. He finally got what he deserved. He's not fit to live among us."

The Positive Women’s Network applauded the ruling. Spokesperson Tebogo Makhanele stated, "It's not every day that justice is served in gender-based violence cases. Some victims never get this chance because their attackers walk free. Today, we stand with this brave gogo and all survivors."

South Africa continues to grapple with rising gender-based violence (GBV) cases, and many believe community involvement—like in this case—is key to fighting back. Kabelo's arrest and life sentence are seen as a symbolic win in a country still reeling from countless similar stories.

💬 Do you think harsher sentences deter GBV, or is more community activism needed?
Vote below to have your say:

• Yes, life in jail sends a strong message

• No, prevention starts at home and in schools

• Both justice and activism are necessary

• GBV needs a new national strategy

🔗 Read also: “I Just Want to Feel Normal Again”: Limpopo man with massive keloid pleads for help — click here to follow another deeply human story.

Personally, stories like this remind me that no matter how small the clue or rural the area, justice is possible—especially when communities stand up for one another. May more villages become places where survivors are heard, and perpetrators are caught—yes, even if by their own underwear.

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Tags: #GBV #LimpopoJustice #LifeSentence #CommunityJustice #WomenDeserveSafety #SAJustice #DailyPulse

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