By REGINALD KANYANE
A Mozambican man was sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a minor. On 20 November 2022, a former tenant approached the victim’s mother and said she had a prophecy and the victim was in danger.
She enquired about her whereabouts and the mother pointed to the shack of a Mozambican national, Guilhermo Jose Thomas Uchaio (54), who was a tenant at the victim’s home in Freedom Park, Tlhabane, outside Rustenburg at the time.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said the victim was seen earlier assisting Uchaio with his chores. Mamothame said the former tenant went to look for the child at Uchaio’s shack, but there was no response.
“She testified that she saw the accused jumping out of his bed naked when she peeped through the window. She then went back to the mother to indicate that the child was not there, but the mother insisted that the child was inside the shack.
“They then went back, and upon arrival, they found the victim standing outside the door. She highlighted that, Uchaio raped her. She was immediately rushed to the doctor, who confirmed that the child was sexually violated. The matter was reported to the police and Uchaio was arrested and the court denied him bail,” he said.
In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Obed Molope urged the court to consider the psychological harm that the incident did to the minor, thus persuading it not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.
Magistrate Segakweng Moeng agreed with the state and remarked that the accused abused his powers, as he knew that the victim trusted him.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the prosecutor, investigating officer from the SAPS, as well as other role players who ensured that the perpetrator is brought to book.
The Guardian 