An inmate Jeffrey Bona (42) has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Bloemfontein Regional Court for the rape of a fellow prisoner. The incidents happened in 2021 over a period of time until the victim reported Bona to authorities.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) provincial spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said Bona had made the victim's life a living hell behind bars. "The accused and the victim were serving their sentences at the facility when the accused began raping the victim on more than one occasion. The victim reported the matter to the authorities and the accused was charged with rape," said Senokoatsane .

Senokoatsane said during sentencing arguments, the prosecution maintained that the court should not deviate from the prescribed sentence of life imprisonment. He said that Bona showed no remorse and was already incarcerated when he raped the victim, and it would be in the best interests of the communities if he was kept there for life. The court found that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances for the court to deviate from the prescribed life sentence. "In sentencing, the court found that there are no substantial and compelling circumstances for the court to deviate from the prescribed life sentence, and the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape. The conviction and sentence confirm the commitment of the National Prosecuting Authority to continue the fight against any form of crime, whether committed by the public or persons already in prison. The NPA will continue to prosecute without fear, favour, or prejudice," Senokoatsane said.