By OBAKENG MAJE

A stepfather has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court for raping his stepdaughter. On 13 June 2021, the mother of the victim (8) caught the accused in the act and informed the police.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sgt Molefi Shemane said a case was opened and the accused (48) was arrested. Shemane further said the accused abandoned his right to apply for bail.

“The Kimberley Magistrate’s Court recently convicted and sentenced the accused to life imprisonment. The court instructed that the accused’s name be entered into the national registered of sex offenders and the national child protection register,” he said.

The investigating officer, Detective Sgt Neo Noge was applauded by the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lt Gen Koliswa Otola for the meticulous and thorough investigation, that led to the lifelong incarceration of the accused.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The 21 suspects who have been on the run from the police for various crimes such as robbery, housebreaking, theft out of a motor vehicle, assault GBH, attempted murder, and contravention of protection orders were arrested. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam the suspects were arrested at their respective residences in Roodepan, Kimberley, and Sunrise in De Aar on 20 July 2023.

“The teams of police detectives from Roodepan and Sunrise Police Stations embarked on wanted suspects tracing operations between 19-20 July 2023 in their respective policing precincts. One suspect who was on the run from the police since 2020 on two charges of rape and child pornography case, was traced and arrested in Kraaifontein, Western Cape with the assistance of a vigilant Community Police Forum (CPF) member.

“He will appear at the Victoria West Regional Court on 24 July 2023. The investigation team will oppose any efforts of seeking bail. Other suspects made appearances at the Kimberley and De Aar Magistrate Courts on 21 July 2023,” Sam said.

He further said, the public is reminded that, failure to appear in court is not excusable. Sam added that, the courts may find grounds for another criminal offense that can be added in addition to the one the accused failed to appear for.

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