Picture: The court sentenced a man to 20 years for raping a retarded woman
By OBAKENG MAJE
A man (42) sentenced to life imprisonment by the Calvinia Magistrate’s Court for raping a mentally-ill woman. According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sgt Molefi Shemane, the woman (22) was walking alone in Calvinia West when she was lured by Benjamin Geswindt to an open field near Hantam High School and raped.
The incident took place on 5 June 2022.
Shemane said the police management welcomed the harsh sentence handed down to Geswindt. He said a witness alerted the victim’s father and a rape case was opened.
“The accused was arrested immediately and bail was successfully opposed. On 11 July 2023, the Calvinia Magistrate’s Court convicted and sentenced him to 28 years imprisonment, which 8 years was suspended for five years on condition that Geswindt is not found guilty of a similar offence.
“The accused will therefore serve an effective 20 years in prison. Geswindt was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. The Unit Commander, Detective Warrant Officer, Charl Blignaut applauded the investigation officer Detective Constable Jacques Nielsen for his thorough and meticulous investigation, which led to the hefty sentence,” he said.
Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola indicated that these sentences are a clear indication that violence perpetrated against the vulnerable members of society will not be tolerated, especially women and children. Otola said the meticulous investigation conducted by Nielsen is highly commendable.
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