Man Granted Double Life Sentence and 44 Years in Prison for Heinous Crimes

 

In a landmark ruling, the Northern Cape High Court has reportedly sentenced Itumeleng Bendow Machabe to double life imprisonment and an additional 44 years for a series of horrific crimes, including rape, murder, extortion, fraud, crimen injuria, and child pornography. 

According to reports, Machabe was found guilty on 18 charges following a lengthy investigation into his crimes, which spanned several years in Kimberley. The sentencing, which reportedly took place on 18 February 2025, has been described as a significant step toward justice for the victims and their families.

Machabe reportedly used a fake social media account, posing as a different identity to lure victims into sending explicit content. He then allegedly used this material to blackmail and exploit them, leading to a series of serious offenses.

His most heinous crime reportedly took place in March 2022, when he raped and murdered 11 year old girl before disposing of her body in a veld near the Provincial Legislature building in Galeshewe. Further investigations reportedly revealed that he was allegedly involved in multiple other cases which included raping three minors between the ages of 13 and 15 years old.

Machabe is reported to have been arrested on 31 March 2022 and remained in custody throughout his trial. His conviction and harsh sentencing have reportedly been welcomed by Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, who praised the court’s firm stance on crimes against vulnerable individuals.

With a double life sentence and an additional 44 years imposed, Machabe is expected to serve his entire sentence behind bars. This case serves as a strong warning against cyber-related crimes and the exploitation of victims through digital platforms.