Gender-Based Violence And Femicide Accused Sentenced To 18 Years For Rape
The Taung Regional Court sentenced Matlhomola Mokwatsi (35) was sentenced to 18-years of imprisonment for rape. Police reports reveal that on 04 March 2018, at Molelema village near Taung, Mokwatsi met the 18-year-old lady on her way to print a Curriculum Vitae (CV) at a friend’s house. He then convinced the lady and offered to assist at his place. Upon arrival, he then took her to his bedroom, threatened her with a spade, and strangled her before raping her twice.
After this heinous act, the complaint requested water from Mokwatsi and managed to escape while he was attending to her request. The accused was arrested on 05 March 2018, but the trial was delayed by the withdrawal of the first attorney that represented the accused, and a Legal Aid attorney was subsequently appointed to represent him.
Part of the evidence the state produced in court was the medical report, that confirmed the injuries sustained by the complainant during her ordeal. The court dismissed his submission that he and the complainant were lovers and that the sex was consensual. The victim in her evidence indicated that she grew up around the perpetrator and considered him to be her elder.
In aggravation of sentence, Adv Sandile Mbokazi urged the court to consider the scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide that is on a rise, and not deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. Magistrate Buti Zulu however, sentenced Mokwatsi to 18-years but agreed with the state on the need to strengthen the advocacy on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.
The Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari-Sekhaolelo lauded the state prosecutor and the police to put the perpetrator behind bars.
Ends.
Inquiries:
Henry Mamothame
NPA Spokesperson
NW Division
082 317 5731