By AGISANANG SCUFF
6 August 2025- A man 29) was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by the Hopetown Magistrate’s Court, for rape and robbery. The incident occurred on 28 April 2024 at approximately midnight.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock said the victim was walking home from a tavern when she was accosted by the accused, Bernard Louw near the local soccer field. Kock said Louw assaulted her with an unknown object, causing her to lose consciousness.
“When the victim regained consciousness, she found herself with the accused in a tunnel near the N12 road. She screamed for help, prompting the accused who was armed with a knife, to flee the scene.
“Louw was arrested a few hours later by police, who recovered the victim’s belongings in his possession. Bail was successfully opposed and the accused remained in custody until sentencing,” he said.
Kock said Louw was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for rape and 2 years for robbery. He said the accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Meanwhile, the Pixley Ka Seme District Police Commissioner, Major General Nomana Mtukushe, commended Detective Constable Elise Brits for her meticulous investigation, which led to this significant conviction for Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), particularly during Women’s Month.
The Guardian 