By AGISANANG SCUFF
12 March 2026 – A man (36) was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the Taung Regional Court for raping a girl (14). On 6 July 2024, in Mountain View, near Pampierstad, the victim visited her aunt, who was the girlfriend of the accused, Luburu Micheal Phama.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said on the day of the incident, the victim was sleeping in the bedroom with her aunt when Phama snuck in the room and raped her more than once, while the aunt was sleeping. Gunya said as a result, the victim fell pregnant.
“She did not report the assault instantly until she was told by her teacher that she was pregnant. After she told her teacher of what happened, a rape case was opened. The accused was arrested.
“During the trial, the accused pleaded guilty to the charge of rape. In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Rebaona Mokgopa addressed the court that the victim is young and was subjected to sexual violence at a young age.
“Mokgopa said the victim will forever live with the trauma and that there are no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. Mokgopa submitted the Victim Impact Statement (VIS), compiled by the victim with the assistance of the Court Preparation Officer Thembinkosi Madiba, which detailed the profound physical and psychological trauma she endured, including ongoing fear and distress,” he said.
Gunya further said in delivering the judgment, the court found that there were compelling reasons to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment under Section 51(1) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997, citing the accused’s personal circumstances. He added that the court ordered that his name be included in the Register of Sexual Offenders and prohibited him from working with children.
“He was further declared unfit to possess a firearm,” said Gunya.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended both the prosecution and the investigative teams for their diligence and dedication. Makhari reaffirmed the NPA’s commitment to the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
The Guardian 