By OBAKENG MAJE
A man has been sentenced to double life imprisonment for rape by the Bloemhof Regional Court. Pule Kgosimore (40) was sentenced to double life imprisonment on two counts of rape, 15 years for rape and a further 5 years for housebreaking.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said Kgosimore, who was on parole on a rape conviction, was arrested on 8 February 2019, following a rape incident that occurred on 4 February 2019 at Boitumelong Township, near Bloemhof.
“Kgosimore broke into a house and found two sisters aged 27 and 37 sleeping. He subsequently produced a sharp object and threatened them before raping them repeatedly. Following his arrest, the DNA results linked him to another rape case that occurred on 15 January 2017.
“A woman (58) went to a neighbour’s house to look for her husband. While knocking on the door, the accused accosted her from behind and dragged her to a nearby open field and raped her. He pleaded not guilty to all charges,” he said.
Mamothame further said the court ordered that Kgosimore’s name be entered into the register of sexual offenders. He added that Kgosimore was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and unfit to work with children and the elderly.
In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Adv Jimmy Tamele, urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. Tamele argued on the propensity of the accused to commit rape and the traumatic state it creates for the victims.
Magistrate Lincoln Matjele agreed with the state and remarked on the prevalence of rape in the country.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the prosecutor, Sergeant Pule Morake from the South African Police Service (SAPS), and other role players, who ensured that justice was served to the victims and their families.
She also urged members of society to be extra vigilant as the country enters a period where crime is rampant.
The Guardian 