By OBAKENG MAJE

The four men who gang-raped a woman were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Hopetown Regional Court. The fifth one was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for attempted rape.  

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said four men, Joseph Kasper (32), Pieter Visser(21), Elcardo Demas(22), and Kobus Daniels(32) took turns in raping and assaulting the victim (18).

“The victim managed to fight off the fifth accused, Elton Van Rooyen (30), who also assaulted and attempted to rape her. The incident took place at a house in Strydenburg on 27 November 2010, where the five accused were drinking with the victim.

“The victim escaped and alerted neighbours, who called the police. The men were arrested the following day and received bail eleven months later. The four men were sentenced for rape and one for attempted rape on 12 September 2023,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kock said the South African Police Services (SAPS) Management in Northern Cape lauded D/Sgt Recardo Kock and all other assisting members from the Hopetown Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences unit for their relentless efforts in the lengthy investigation that ensured no impunity is granted to perpetrators of this heinous crime.

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