By OBAKENG MAJE
A 21-YEAR-OLD gang member was sentenced to two life imprisonment by the Schweizer Reneke Regional Court for four counts. Fando Joel Galeboe who was a member of the notorious gang known as SVK in Ipelegeng Location, in Schweizer Reneke raped two girls aged 11 and 13 respectively.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mammothame: “Police reports reveal that on 2 June 2021, Galeboe met two girls aged 11 and 13 in Ipelegeng, and threatened them with a knife and a gun before taking them to a shack at a nearby informal settlement.
“He then proceeded to rape them one after the other. Galeboe was sentenced to life imprisonment on each count of rape. In a separate incident that took place on 7 January 2021 in Ipelegeng, Galeboe raped a girl (19).”
He was accompanied by his gang members when they met the girl (19) walking with her male friends. Galeboe’s gang members then chased away the male friends, while he was trying to speak to the lady who at the time was refusing to converse with him.
“He then forcefully dragged her to a nearby yard and raped her. The court sentenced him to 10 years for this crime. On the fourth count of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, Galeboe met a woman in her mid-forties in the street in Ipelegeng and insisted on walking with her, but she refused.
“He then tried to take her by force threatening her with a knife and the victim fought back. Galeboe eventually stabbed her several times before fleeing the scene. He was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment for this offence,” said Mamothame.
He said all four victims laid charges against him and he was eventually arrested in 2018. His bail application was also denied. In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Mpho Sephapo argued that all the victims were vulnerable members of society and that Galeboe used his masculinity to violate them.
He urged the court not to deviate from the minimum sentence as the crimes committed were of a serious nature. He said the sentences will run concurrently.
Meanwhile, the acting Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari-Sekhaolelo welcomed the conviction and sentence. She expressed how this conviction will strengthen the advocacy in the fight against the abuse of women and children.
The Guardian 