The South African Police Service in the Eastern Cape has sentenced Thembelani “Raroro” Andries (31) who was found guilty on 11 counts of rape by the High Court in Gqeberha on 28 March 2025.
The accused received 11 life sentences to run concurrently for horrific crimes committed against six young boys in Motherwell in 2015, as well as a prior conviction for attempted rape in Aliwal North in 2014.
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On 3 May 2015, six boys aged between 11 and 13 were swimming at Swartkops Dam near Motherwell when they were approached by Andries. He lured them under false pretenses, claiming they would help slaughter a springbok in nearby bushes. Once isolated, he forced them to undress and subjected them to repeated acts of anal rape, forced oral sex, and further sexual assault over several hours. After the attack, he ordered them to leave without looking back, evading immediate arrest as he was unknown to the victims.
The case was reopened for further investigation in February 2024, leading to Andries’ arrest in Aliwal North on 19 July 2024. Forensic evidence linked him to the crimes, and he made his first court appearance in Motherwell on 22 July 2024. His conviction was secured due to diligent police work and survivor testimonies.
This was not Andries’ first violent offense. On 26 October 2014, he attacked a 20-year-old woman in Aliwal North, hitting her with a beer bottle and attempting to rape her before she was rescued by friends. He was convicted in 2015 and received a four-year suspended sentence, which later helped investigators connect him to the Motherwell case.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Zithulele Dladla, commended the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit, the investigating team, and the National Prosecuting Authority for their commitment to justice. “This sentencing sends a strong message that SAPS will not tolerate crimes against women and children,” he stated. “We applaud the bravery of the survivors and witnesses who ensured this perpetrator faced the full might of the law.”
SAPS encouraged communities to report gender-based violence and sexual offenses, assuring that all cases will be thoroughly investigated.
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Cece Smith 