By OBAKENG MAJE
A 54-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to three life sentences by the Mothibistad Regional Court for raping a girl (12). The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the first incident took place at Seven Miles village, near Mothibistad on 25 October 2019 around 8am.
Shemane said, the aunt of a girl, was summoned by the school because the victim was having abnormal pains and was previously admitted to hospital. He further said, the victim told her aunt and teacher that, she has been raped by the accused since 2018 to October 2019.
“In the first incident, the victim reported and narrated to her aunt that, when she was sent to take food to her other aunt, she was sexually assaulted. The victim indicated that on arrival, her aunt was not home, but found the suspect at her aunt’s house.
“The suspect then grabbed her and took her to his bedroom, undressed and forcefully raped her inside his house. The suspect then threatened her with injury if she told anyone of the assault,” said Shemane.
He added that the second incident took place when the victim went past the suspect’s house. Shemane said the suspect called the victim and took her inside the shanty.
“He locked it and forcefully raped the victim. In the third incident in June 2019, a rape case was opened. The victim was taken to hospital and the suspect was arrested.
“The bail was opposed until the completion of the matter. On 3 August 2023, the Mothibistad Regional Court convicted and sentenced the accused to three life sentences. The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and his name will be entered into the national sexual offenders’ register,” he said.
Shemane said the accused was also declared unfit to work with children.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola applauded D/Sgt Precious Shoeman for her thorough and meticulous investigation that led to the life-long incarceration of the perpetrator. Otola said there is no place for such criminals in society.
“We will remain steadfast in ridding them from our communities. The members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) will remain committed in fighting crimes against women, children and vulnerable groups,” she said.
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