By OBAKENG MAJE
An Ethiopian tuckshop owner, Eshethu Desta Defere who was illegal in the country, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by Lichtenburg Regional Court for raping a girl (12). The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said the victim told the court that, in June 2021, she went to the shop to buy some items and upon arrival, Defere (26) was alone at the time.
Mamothame said, Defere dragged the girl to a shack behind the shop and raped her. He said, the matter was reported to the police and the accused was arrested three days later.
“He stayed behind bars until the completion of the trial. The incident took place at Scotland Informal Settlement in Coligny. The victim stayed with her family in the same area, and she was sent to Defere’s shop regularly to buy items. Defere was declared unfit to possess a firearm,” he said.
In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Neo Sedumedi, urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment, as there were no compelling circumstances to consider. Magistrate Boitumelo Chulu agreed with the state and remarked on the responsibility the court has in protecting the victims and members of society from such violent acts, particularly women and children.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, together with the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded all role players for their collaboration in bringing the perpetrator to book.
The Guardian 