Step-grand father sentenced to life imprisonment for rape
Step-grand father sentenced to life imprisonment for rape
The Lenyenye Regional Court has convicted and sentenced a 60-year-old man to life imprisonment for the rape of a six-year-old minor girl plus two years of direct imprisonment for illegal immigration. The name of the accused is concealed to protect the victim as the accused is the step-grandfather to the victim. During the trial, the accused pleaded not guilty and the court heard that on 01 January 2020, in Topanama village, the accused was sleeping on the veranda with the victim and her grandmother when he raped the victim. The grandmother did not hear or see anything as she was heavily drunk. The accused was caught by the victim’s uncle, who called the police.
The state prosecutor, Pearl Ledwaba, led evidence of the eyewitness and medical reports that confirmed that the victim was raped. In aggravation of sentence, the prosecutor submitted that children are the most vulnerable members of society who need protection. She then said that the state is duty-bound to protect those children to live in a safe environment by removing the perpetrators of crimes from the community. She further submitted that there are no substantial or compelling circumstances for the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence. The court agreed with the state and sentenced the accused to life imprisonment.
The National Prosecuting Authority hopes that the would-be offenders will be deterred from committing similar offences. We are pleased with the good work done by prosecutor Ledwaba and investigating officer, Matome Ramatseba from the Tzaneen Family Violence and Child Protection Unit.
Issued by,
Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Limpopo Division