Savage assault with steel rod leaves victim blind in one eye
A 32-year-old Rustenburg man has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars after a vicious attempted murder in Lethabong that left his victim permanently disfigured and suffering from memory loss. Silvester Oageng Bodigelo received the sentence from the Bafokeng Regional Court sitting in Tlhabane on Monday, 16 March 2026, and was additionally declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The horrific attack took place on 29 March 2024 at Lethabong, near Rustenburg, when Bodigelo and the victim became embroiled in a physical confrontation at the accused's parental residence. Court evidence revealed that during the struggle, Bodigelo fled to a nearby shack, retrieved a steel iron rod, and returned to repeatedly batter the victim across the head until the man collapsed unconscious.
In a chilling escalation, Bodigelo then placed a rubbish-filled dustbin on top of his unconscious victim and approached neighbours seeking matches, apparently with the intention of setting the man alight. The neighbours refused to hand over any matches, an act that likely prevented a far more devastating outcome.
"Medical evidence revealed that the victim lost his left eye and suffered permanent memory loss as a result of the severe injuries sustained during the attack, with the brain affected due to internal bleeding."
Accused skipped court before being detained
Bodigelo was initially granted bail following the attack but subsequently failed to present himself in court, earning a contempt of court conviction. He was handed a 30-day imprisonment term for that offence in 2025, after which the court refused to grant him bail a second time. He has remained in custody since then.
Throughout the trial proceedings, Bodigelo maintained a plea of not guilty. The prosecution called multiple witnesses to the stand, among them the medical practitioner who had examined the victim. The doctor's testimony confirmed the devastating extent of the injuries, including the loss of the victim's left eye and irreversible memory impairment caused by internal cranial bleeding.
Having weighed all the testimony and evidence before it, the court found Bodigelo guilty and imposed the substantial custodial sentence of 15 years' direct imprisonment.
"The Acting Bojanala Platinum Sub-District 2 Commissioner, Brigadier Mamotsamai Ntoagae, commended the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Molefe Kgabo, and the Prosecutor, Advocate Zola Mpayipheli, for their dedication and professionalism in ensuring that justice was served."
The successful prosecution has been hailed as a demonstration of the justice system's commitment to holding perpetrators of violent crime accountable. Brigadier Ntoagae singled out both the investigating officer and the advocate for their thorough and professional handling of the case from investigation through to conviction.
The sentencing highlights the ongoing challenge of violent crime in South African communities, where brutal assaults continue to leave victims with life-altering injuries. For residents of Rustenburg and surrounding areas, cases like this underscore the importance of community intervention, as neighbours who refused to provide matches likely saved a life. The 15-year sentence may serve as a deterrent, though the permanent disabilities suffered by the victim reflect the lasting human cost that no court ruling can undo.
