SCHOEMANSDAL – Amos Mothuki (37) appeared in the Nkomazi Regional Court last Thursday after it was proved beyond reasonable doubt that he had raped a 10-year-old girl in November 2013.
According to the victim’s testimony, she was playing outside her parents’ home in Buffelspruit when he grabbed her, dragged her into the house, undressed and then raped her.
This sentence follows two others by Moletsane on February 8 and 9. In the first instance a 72-year-old was sentenced to 40 years’ imprisonment. He was found guilty of raping two children, aged six and 10, in 2013.
In the other case, a 55-year-old former police reservist was sentenced to 20 years for raping a 12-year-old girl in 2012.
Schoemansdal’s acting station commander, Lt Col Mfana Mathaba, welcomed the life sentence and encouraged parents and guardians to report such cases to the police to bring the perpetrators to justice.
He also thanked the officers for their dedicated investigation.
In many rape cases across the country, it has been found that perpetrators are well known to their victims (family members or neighbours).
Parents and guardians are urged to teach their children to speak out about any abuse, rape or uncomfortable experiences, and to report the matter immediately.
Any victim of a sexual offence (which includes rape, molestation and sexual assault) or someone who believes a man, woman or child has been a victim, is required to report it to a police official.
When the victim’s statement is being taken, a friend or family member can stay with them, unless they are a potential witness.
It is important to get a case number, as this will enable the victim and their relatives to follow it up. It is also useful to get contact details of the investigating officer and to ensure they have all the victim and witnesses’ necessary contact details.
Read: What you must do when you’ve been raped
Victims are urged not to bathe or wash themselves, and to keep their clothes wrapped in newspaper or in a paper bag as evidence. It is also vital to visit a clinic or hospital to get medication to prevent HIV infection, sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.
Last week Schoemansdal police arrested a man for possession of ammunition without a licence and possession of suspected stolen goods.
Police received a tip-off last Tuesday night and found nine cellphones and 47 live shotgun rounds in his possession.
Mr Bonga Makamo (30) appeared in the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday and was granted bail of R1 000.
He is set to appear in court today.
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