By OBAKENG MAJE
A man has been sentenced to two life terms of imprisonment by the Taung Regional Court for two counts of rape, sexual assault and robberies. Hans Appie (50), committed these heinous crimes between 2013 and 2014, wherein he terrorised women and children going to school and work, in Pampierstad.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said the accused would rob his victims of their belongings and in some instances, assault and rape them. Mamothame said with the youngest of the victims being 17 years of age.
“The police managed to link him to these offences through DNA samples, after he was arrested on 16 March 2014. He was denied bail and he pleaded not guilty to all charges, alleging he was in a love affair with the victims.
“The matter was subsequently transferred to the Taung Regional Court for trial, owing to its serious nature. Appie was sentenced to two life terms on two counts of rape, 15 years for rape, 5 years for sexual assault, 15 years on each of the four counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and 8 years on each of the two counts of attempted murder,” he said.
Mamothame further said, the court declared that, Appie’s name be registered in the national register of sexual offenders and also declared him unfit to work with children.
In aggravation of sentence, the state senior prosecutor, Adv Zoleka Majikijela, urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, considering the seriousness of the offences he committed.
Magistrate Thataetsile Matolong agreed with the state and remarked on the responsibility the courts have to protect members of society from such offenders.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the prosecutor, Sergeant Sidwell Dastile from the South African Police Service and Court Preparation Officer, Molebogeng Oliphant, who provided counselling and guidance to the victims in preparation for trial, for their collaboration in ending the suffering of the women and children in Pampierstad in the hands of the accused.
The Guardian 