Employee sentenced to life for rape of a minor
Employee sentenced to life for rape of a minor
The Groblersdal Regional Court sentenced Shonono Amos Sibande (44) to life imprisonment following the conviction of rape of an eight-year-old girl. On the day of the incident on 02 September 2020, the accused was working at the victim’s homestead at Tafelkop, in Dipakapakeng village. He was employed to erect the wall and to clean the yard. The young girl was left alone in the house by the mother watching television.
The accused entered the house and found her sleeping on a sofa, he then and raped her. He further threatened to kill her if she told anyone and indeed she did not report the incident to anyone. Almost a year later, the young girl’s mother became concerned about her changing behaviour and loss of weight. As a result, she took the child to the local clinic and she was referred to the local hospital wherein it was confirmed by the doctor that she had been raped. It was then that she reported to the mother about the rape and the matter was reported to the police.
The Regional Court Prosecutor, Sifiso Miya led the evidence of the young girl and her mother to prove the case for the state. In aggravation of sentence, prosecutor Miya submitted that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances present for the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. He further argued that the accused was placed in a position of trust and had broken such trust by violating the child. The court found that indeed there were no substantial and compelling circumstances and sentenced the accused to life imprisonment. The court further ordered that his name be recorded in the Sexual Offenders Register.
The NPA welcomes the sentence, and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Ivy Thenga commended the good work done by prosecutor Miya and Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Wilson Thoka.
Issued by,
Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Limpopo Division