By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
A man (36) was sentenced to two life terms imprisonment by the Galeshewe Regional Court for rape. The accused raped a minor who was 11 years old during the commission of the crime.
On 1 May 2022 and 2 May 2022, the accused who was 34 years of age, raped the victim while residing with the family of his victim. The accused was a family friend of the victim and had known the family for years making him a part of the family.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the accused, who the family trusted as he had helped raise the children, shared the sleeping with the children in the same room, where he slept on the floor because of the limited space in the house.
Senokoatsane further said the family of the victim trusted the accused so much and felt sorry for him. He added that he shared a room with the victim and her other three siblings.
“While being accommodated by the family, the accused took advantage of the situation and began to rape the victim on 1 May 2022. Both rape incidents happened at the victim’s parental home, while the rest of the family was sleeping in the same house.
“The victim informed her mother and her stepfather about what the accused had done to her. The matter was reported to the police and the accused was arrested. The victim was taken for medical examination, which proved that she had injuries and the DNA was also taken to bolster the state’s case,” said Senokoatsane.
He said the accused was remanded in custody until the conclusion of the matter. Senokoatsane said during the trial, the victim testified via intermediary services and comprehensively accounted for how the rape had affected her life.
“The victim and her mother through a Victim Impact Statement, compiled with the assistance of the Court Prep Officer, Thandi Kraai, detailed how the family had considered the accused as a fatherly figure and how he had betrayed their hospitality and trust by assaulting the victim. When presenting his testimony in court during the trial, the accused denied ever sexually assaulting the child.
“The forensic analyst was also called to testify by the state. The state prosecutor, Advocate Shareen Theresa argued that the evidence against the accused was overwhelming and that the victim was a very good witness even though she was a minor and a single witness, hence the cautionary rule according to law is applicable,” he said.
Senokoatsane said the prosecution further argued that the court should sentence the accused to life sentence on both counts, as he had shown no remorse and that a clear message had to be sent to other perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). He said the accused was declared not to possess a firearm according to Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act.
“The court also made an order for the accused’s name to be entered into the National Register of Sexual Offenders. The NPA envisages that these sentences will provide some justice and closure to the victims and their families.
“They will also endure that violent criminals are removed from our streets,” said Senokoatsane.
The Guardian 