Rapist sentenced to 25 years imprisonment

Northam - The provincial commissioner of the Limpopo South African Police Service, lieutenant general Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed the incarceration of a 40-year-old male after he was sentenced to an effective 25 years’ imprisonment by the Regional Court in Modimolle on Tuesday 19 September 2023.

The court heard that the accused had raped a seven-year-old girl at Smashblock informal settlement under the Northam Policing area in the Waterberg District on 2 June 2019. It is reported that the victim was called by her uncle in the afternoon to come to his room, which is opposite her residence. This occurred while a family gathering ceremony was hosted a few houses away from the crime scene. The victim went to the accused’s room, and upon arrival, the accused closed the door and raped her. The minor was later released by the accused, but she did not report the ordeal. Reports indicate that the neighbour of the accused saw the victim entering and became suspicious when she realised that the child spent a long time inside the room. Consequently, the neighbour informed the girl’s aunt. The child was questioned, and she revealed that she was feeling pain in her stomach and genitals. The victim was immediately transported to the local hospital for a medical examination, and it was later confirmed that she had been raped. The matter was immediately reported at the Northam Police Station, and a rape case was opened. A massive manhunt for the suspect was then launched. The accused was subsequently arrested the very same day by members of the community and handed over to the police. The case was transferred to the Thabazimbi Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) for further investigations. Sergeant Modupi was assigned to investigate the matter, and he executed brilliant work to oppose bail during several court appearances made by the accused until he was convicted for the rape of a minor and sentenced to an effective 25 years’ imprisonment by the Modimolle Regional Court. Furthermore, the accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm, and his particulars are to be included in the National Register for Sexual Offenders.

“I appreciate the sterling work that was displayed by the police and other stakeholders involved to ensure that perpetrators are continuously rooted out of society for the safety and comfort of the inhabitants of this province,” concluded general Hadebe.