Convicted rapist, Mampuru Clement Mamphoku.
A 37 year-old was this week sentenced to three life imprisonment for raping two minor girls in 2016 and 2019.
The Regional Court in Tzaneen on Thursday 17 August 2023 found guilty and convicted Mampuru Clement Mamphoku for raping two young girls aged 12 and 13 during separate incidents in Modjadjiskloof Policing area.
In the first incident, the trial court heard that on Saturday 15 May 2016 at about 17:45, Mamphoku, broke into a certain house shortly after the owner left to collect some food at her mother’s house in the same neighbourhood.
He accused found the victim, who is mentally and physically handicapped sitting on the floor and carried her to the bedroom where he raped her.
When the victim’s mother returned she was surprised to find the child naked on top of the bed as she is unable to move on her own. That’s when the child narrated the ordeal and Police were immediately alerted. A case of rape was opened.
In the second incident, the Mampoku used a similar modus operandi and broke into another house on 30 July 2019 at about 21: 30, entered a room where a 13-year-old girl was sleeping with her siblings.
The perpetrator whose face was covered, started to strangle the child with his hands while he demanded to know where her grandmother kept the money. He then dragged the child to the kitchen and raped her.
The accused further threatened to cut the child’s throat with lawn scissors if she screamed and ordered her to follow him when he left the house. On the way, the child tried to escape but the he managed to catch her and raped her under a tree.
The matter was reported to the police and a case of rape was opened. On 22 July 2019, the victim was walking with her mother when she recognised her alleged rapist and the police were immediately alerted.
Both cases were investigated by Detective Sergeant Khethate Enock Kgatla of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses Unit in Tzaneen.
The accused was subsequently arrested after he was positively linked to both incidents through DNA evidence. His bail application was successfully opposed until the case was trialed at Tzaneen Regional Court whereby he was found guilty on all the charges.
The sentences were passed as follows: Count 1: Rape -the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Count 2 : Housebreaking with intent to commit an offence- the accused was sentenced to five years imprisonment.
Count 3: Rape- the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment
Count 4: Rape- the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment
Count 5: Abduction – the accused was sentenced to eight years imprisonment
“The good conviction is a result of collective efforts of the Tzaneen FCS and diligent work done by the investigating officer Sergeant Enock Khethathe.
“We hope this sentence will serve as a stern warning to would-be offenders and help us put an end to violence against women and children, ” said provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.
Mamphoku’s name is included in the National Register of Sexual Offenders in terms of the provisions of Section 50 (1) (a) of Criminal Procedure (Sexual Offences) Amendment Act 32 of 2007.
Investigating officer, Sergeant Enock Khethathe.