Picture: The convicted rapist, Simao Hlongwane/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) has applauded the Garankuwa Regional Court for sentencing the North West preacher, Simao Hlongwane (43) to life imprisonment for raping his niece (12). The MRM convenor, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele described Hlongwane’s sentence as a victory against the scourge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) perpetuated by religion and culture.
“This conviction has exposed moral decay in our society as well as the extent to which families are complicit in betraying vulnerable children robbed of their innocence by those who are supposed to protect them.
“We commend the prosecution and investigation team for the successful conviction, which was meted on Thursday. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Hlongwane raped the teenager in 2017, but was never arrested after the mother did not open a case,” said Kgwele.
He further said the court had established that, the man had sent his niece to clean his shack in Mothotlung before following her and raping her there. Kgwele added that, the girl reported the matter to the police herself three years later, as the uncle had continued to touch her inappropriately over some time, and was afraid she would be raped again.
“The perpetrators of such heinous as well as despicable acts with lifelong mental, emotional, psychological, and physical scars to victims should have no place in society.
“The insistent war against GBV will only be won if the silence of betrayal prevalent in most homes and churches is broken and perpetrators including those protecting them face the wrath of the law,” he underscored.
Kgwele calls on churches to reclaim their prophetic voice and expose wolves in sheep’s skin. He said perpetrators of GBV must have nowhere to hide.
“They should not escape being held accountable because victims depend on them for financial support or hold office within the religious and cultural establishment,” said Kgwele.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the prosecutor, Constable Caroline Mothemane from the South African Police Services (SAPS), and the assistance by the Thuthuzela Care Center to the victim, for bringing the perpetrator to book.
The Guardian 