By Obakeng Maje
Pampierstad- The Hartswater Cluster Commander Colonel Lekhu, lauded the sterling investigative work, displayed by the Hartswater Cluster Family violence, Child protection and Sexual offence unit, by securing a hefty prison sentences on two men accused of rape, in the Pampierstad area.

The accused committed these heinous crimes on two separate incidents during 2013.  Kabelo Mathe(30) and Thabo Khonkhobe(23) were sentenced by Taung Regional Court on Thursday.

“Kabelo Mathe was convicted for life imprisonment, after raping a five-year-old toddler in Pampierstad. On the, 13 April 2013 the toddler was playing outside her mother’s house with other children and Kabelo lured her inside a nearby house and raped her” Lieutenant Sergio Kock said.

Thabo was also handed 18-years imprisonment, for raping a 16-year-old girl.

The incident happened on 23 August 2013 at Sekhing village near Pampierstad. Thabo raped the victim inside a shanty, in the presence of her 6-year-old sister.

“The victim managed to get loose and run for her life, and reported the matter to the police. Both accused were refused bail and they spent the rest of the time behind bars since their arrest” Kock said.

Kock said crime against women and children should be condemned on strongest terms at all times. He also outlined that men must learn to protect women and children and not to take advantage of their vulnerability.

“The South African Police Service is committed to bring crime perpetrators to book” he concludes.       
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_