On Thursday, 23 November 2023, the Ganyesa Regional Court sentenced a 24-year-old accused to life imprisonment for raping a six-year-old girl. The court also declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000). In addition, an order was given that the accused’s name be included in the National Register for Sex Offenders. He was further declared unsuitable to work with children.
The accused’ conviction emanated from an incident that occurred on Sunday, 4 September 2022, at Southey village near Ganyesa. The victim was playing with a friend at the neighbour’s house where her mother left her. The accused called the children to his place, then sent the friend to look for his niece and remained with the victim. He offered the latter porridge. Upon refusing to eat the porridge, the accused assaulted her with a sjambok and took her to his bedroom where he raped her.
Subsequently, the victim reported the incident to her mother who reported it to the police in Ganyesa. After a thorough investigation, the suspect was arrested on Thursday, 8 September 2022, and his bail application was successfully opposed. Thus, he has been in custody since his arrest and finally found guilty on Monday, 20 November 2023.
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded the Investigating Officer, Sgt Mogakolodi Edwin Molelekwa of the Vryburg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, prosecution and other role players for their collaboration to ensure that justice is served.
The post Man sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a six-year-old girl appeared first on South Africa Today.