The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed two sentences handed down this week to two accused in separate cases.
In the first case, reported in the early hours of the morning of Sunday, 26 August 2018 at about 02:20, the court heard evidence that a 23-year-old Thato Lenake, was shot three times at Chris Hani Section in Kanana.
He was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed due to the injuries sustained.
Diligent Investigations by the Investigation Officer of the Anti-Gang Unit, WO Ignaz van Heerden, led to the arrest of Pitso Sekoai (39) one day later (Monday, 27 August 2018). During the arrest, Sekoai was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm.
On Monday, 20 February 2023, the accused was found guilty on both charges. He was sentenced on Friday, 21 April 2023, as follows:
Count 1: Murder-15 years’ imprisonment
Count 2: Possession of unlicensed Firearm – 15 years’ imprisonment
Count 1 and 2 will run concurrently and Sekoai was declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000).
In another separate incident reported on Wednesday, 5 June 2019, an eight-year-old girl and her 12-year-old brother were repeatedly raped and sexually abused by their biological father between April and June 2019, whilst their mother was at work.
The daughter reported the ordeal to her mother, who immediately reported the incident to the police.
Excellent investigations done by Constable Magdeline Kgomotso Mofulwane of the Brits Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS), resulted in the arrest of the then 42-year-old suspect shortly after the incident was reported.
He was brought before Court and pleaded guilty to all charges.
On Thursday, 20 April 2023, the Brits Magistrates’ Court sentenced the now 46-year-old father as follows:
Count 1: Compelled Rape – Life imprisonment
Count 2: Compelling or causing children to witness masturbation – 5 years’ imprisonment
Count 3: Compelling or causing children to watch self-masturbation – 5 years’ imprisonment
The convict’s name was included in the National Sexual Offences Register and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000).
The Provincial Commissioner commended the Investigating Officers, prosecution and all other role players for securing the sentences and reiterated that those who perpetrate crime especially crimes against women and children, will be shown no mercy.
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