21 year-old accused sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a minor
The accused evaded arrest for two years after he committed the offence and was found in his hideout at Kabokweni.
On February 3, the eMalahleni Regional Court sentenced a twenty one-year-old man of Bronkhorspruit to life imprisonment for raping a 14-year-old minor in 2017.
The accused had a relationship with the victim’s friend when the incident happened.
Read: Suspect appears for kidnapping, murder and rape of a minor
In October 2017, the victim was sitting with her other friends when the accused arrived with his friend in Thubelihle, Nkangala District. Upon realizing that his girlfriend was not part of the gathering, he lured the victim to a nearby bush where he forcefully raped her. The victim reported the ordeal to her parents and criminal proceedings were instituted against the accused.
Read: Police arrest man for the alleged rape of his daughters in Masoyi
In court, the accused denied all the allegations levelled against him and maintained his innocence.
The Regional Court Prosecutor, Maureen Nkosi presented evidence of the victim, first report (mother) and the evidence of a medical expert.
Victim Impact Report and a pre-sentence report was also submitted to the court. The court accepted the evidence and the accused was found guilty as charged.
In aggravation of sentence, the state submitted that the accused did not show remorse for his actions as he evaded arrest for two years after he committed the offence and was found in his hideout at Kabokweni.
The court sentenced the accused to life imprisonment as prescribed by the minimum sentences act for rape of a minor.
The NPA condemns violence against women and children
