Limpopo rapist sentenced to life behind bars
"She reported it to her teacher after a few days because she was feeling pain in her private parts and the matter was reported to the police," said NPA's Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi, Limpopo regional spokesperson.
POLOKWANE – The Mankweng Regional Court sentenced December Makhura, a 33-year-old man from Mamotintane to life imprisonment on Monday. Makhura had raped a minor in 2016.
“The victim, who was 10 years old at the time of the incident, told the court that in February 2016 during the day she was playing in the street when the accused dragged her into the bush and raped her.
“She knew him very well as he was staying in the same village. He then hit her with an open hand and told her to go home afterwards.
“She reported it to her teacher after a few days because she was feeling pain in her private parts and the matter was reported to the police,” said NPA’s Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi, Limpopo regional spokesperson.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge. The state, represented by Adv Makgomothi Masehela, had to prove the case to link the accused person to the offence.
The J88 was handed in to corroborate the evidence of the forensic nurse who testified about the injuries the complainant sustained throughout her ordeal.
The victim impact statements of the complainant and her mother were handed in during sentencing, which was prepared by the court preparation officer, Dikeledi Leseka.
“During the trial, the victim, who is now 16 years old, told the court that she was stigmatised by the community after the incident which led to her failing a grade twice. She was teased by old men who told her she should sleep with them too. She became argumentative and experienced nightmares about the accused.
“Her mother also testified that she spent sleepless nights as her daughter cried a lot after the incident and failed her grades at school. She became absent-minded and sought counselling services from the Thuthuzela Care Centre, where social workers and psychologists helped her quite a lot, as her performance also improved at school,” added Malabi Dzhangi.
There was no DNA to link the accused to the offence as it was reported late and the complainant was 10 years old during the commission of the offence. She had difficulties recalling the intricate details of the case due to her age. Her testimony had to be led through the assistance of an intermediary, Granny Lemekwane.
The pre-sentence report for the accused was also handed in. The probation officer, Ramoraswi, recommended that the accused be sentenced to life imprisonment.
The presiding officer, Fanie Reynolds, agreed with the state and sentenced the accused to life imprisonment for rape.
The NPA welcomed the sentence and complimented the good work of the investigator and the prosecutor.
