By OBAKENG MAJE
A 36-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to life imprisonment by Schweizer Reneke Regional Court for raping his step-daughter. In December 2017, Motlhaliemang Alfred Motshwane took the victim (12) and her sibling (3) to the kraal just outside the Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke without their mother’s consent.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said: “Upon arrival, the younger sibling was asleep and Motshwane took his jersey off and let her sleep on it. He subsequently ordered the victim (12) to undress, but she refused and attempted to escape.
“However, Motshwane caught up with her and moved her to a different location within the kraals and raped her. At the time of the rape, the 3-year-old was awake, and observed her sister’s suffering.”
Mamothame further said, the siblings were let go and upon arrival, the younger sister relayed the story to the grandmother, as her sister was crying hysterically. He added that the victim was also able to corroborate what her sibling transmitted to the grandmother.
“At that point, their mother was out looking for them. upon her return, the grandmother relayed the incident to her, and she confronted Motshwane, who denied ever raping the child.
“When he was asked to accompany them to the hospital for the child to receive a medical check-up, he immediately fled. The matter was reported to the police and Motshwane was arrested two weeks later and the court denied him bail,” he said.
Mamothame added that Motshwane was also sentenced to five years imprisonment for kidnapping. He said the court further declared Motshwane unfit to possess a firearm and his name will be recorded in the register of sexual offenders.
In aggravation of the sentence, the state prosecutor, Mpho Sephapo urged the court not to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence of life imprisonment. Sephapo argued that, the accused abused the trust the victim had in him as a father figure and his action was not about sex, but about displaying his power over a defenseless child.
In passing sentence, Magistrate Patricia Rangwako agreed with the state and further remarked that the accused showed no remorse for his actions. She further condemned the accused for committing the offense in front of his 3-year-old daughter.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari lauded the police and NPA for a collaboration that resulted in a conviction.
The Guardian 