The Mankweng Regional Court on Friday convicted and sentenced a 29-year-old man to three life imprisonment for raping his 12-year-old niece.
The man from Tjatjaneng Ga-Mothapo who cannot be named to protect the minor girl’s identity pleaded not guilty. The court heard that on 18 August 2021, the victim was back from school when she found her uncle having sexual intercourse with a woman in the house, the woman ran out of the house, and the uncle dragged the child and raped her.
The uncle then stopped when he heard the victim’s brother coming in. Two days after the incident, the accused continued to rape the victim after she refused to call the woman, she found him with. The minor reported the matter on 12 September 2021 to her mother.
There was no DNA evidence, as the matter was reported to the police late. The J88 was handed in to corroborate the evidence of the forensic nurse who testified about the injuries the victim sustained throughout the ordeal.
The victim also testified through the assistance of the Court Intermediary, as she was a minor. Victim Impact Statement was also handed in court which explains how the incident affected her emotionally, physically and her studies.
In aggravation of the sentence, Advocate Makgomothi Masehela submitted that the accused failed to protect the victim as her uncle, and he did not only damage her physically but, he mentally destroyed her.
Masehela, further said that crimes of this nature are prevalent within the court’s jurisdiction. He concluded by saying there are no substantial or compelling circumstances for the court to deviate from imposing the minimum sentence. The presiding officer Hele Botha could not find any compelling circumstances to deviate from the minimum sentence act and sentenced the accused to three life imprisonment.
“The NPA is against any form of violence against children and women. We further applaud the good work done by Advocate Masehela and investigating officer, Sergeant Kwena Shilajwe of Polokwane FCS,” said NPA Regional Spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi