Former City of Tshwane worker gets life for locking a woman inside toilet, then raping her

A former City of Tshwane worker, Matome Seloesa, 42, has been sentenced to life in prison for repeatedly raping a 39-year-old woman after she stopped to use a toilet at a municipal building in May 2023.

Former City of Tshwane general worker Matome Seloesa, 42, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a 39-year-old woman who stopped to use a municipal toilet in May 2023, where he locked her inside, raped her and even threatened to kill her.

NPA Regional Spokesperson for Pretoria, Lumka Mahanjana, said the incident occurred in the morning of May 27, 2023, when the victim was on her way to Sunnyside to visit a friend.

The woman stopped at a City of Tshwane municipal building and requested permission to use the toilet.

“As she made her way to the facility, Seloesa followed her, locked her inside the toilet, and repeatedly raped and assaulted her while threatening to kill her.”

“As the assault, Seloesa instructed the victim to remain in the toilet while he went to purchase food.”

“Once he had left, the victim managed to escape from the building and approached a police vehicle stationed nearby.”

“While she was speaking to the police, Seloesa approached and falsely claimed that the victim was his girlfriend.”

“When the victim realised that her complaint was not being taken seriously, she ran to a nearby residence and informed the occupants about what had transpired.”

Mahanjana said the occupants assisted her in contacting other police officers, leading to Seloesa's arrest at his workplace later that day.

During the trial, Seloesa pleaded not guilty and claimed that the complainant was both his girlfriend and a sex worker.

However, State Prosecutor Sfiso Hlongwane presented compelling evidence, including the victim's testimony, which proved the accused's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Mahanjana said during sentencing proceedings, Seloesa, through his legal representative, requested the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.

“He submitted that he was a first-time offender, had three minor children who were dependent on him, and that the offence should not be viewed as serious.”