A 45-year-old man from Koster was sentenced to life imprisonment yesterday, after being found guilty of raping a nine-year-old girl.

Potchefstroom Herald reports Alfred Ntante Bendile (45) raped his young victim on May 19, 2019. The court also declared Bendile unfit to work with children and ordered his inclusion on the National Register for Sex Offenders, reinforcing the NPA unwavering commitment to combating gender-based violence (GBV) and protecting vulnerable children.

How the crime unfolded

According to Sivenathi Gunya, an NPA spokesperson, Bendile was at the football grounds at Reagile location in Koster watching a soccer match with the victim’s father, the girl and other community members. During the game, the accused asked the victim to fetch money from his place of residence and told her not to tell her parents.

She complied and departed with her two friends to carry out Bendile’s instructions. He followed them and upon arrival pounced on them, instructing her friends to go away. He forced the victim to go to his bedroom, where he tied her legs and arms to the bed. He stuffed her mouth with a piece of cloth and raped her.

The victim’s friends raised the alarm by telling her parents about her whereabouts. Her father knocked on the door, and the accused instructed her to hide inside the wardrobe. He opened the door, and the victim sprang out of the wardrobe half-naked. Police were called, he was arrested and bail was denied.

Guilty plea and sentencing

Bendile pleaded guilty to the charge. In aggravation of sentence, prosecutor Sangweni Zimema highlighted that the accused did not show remorse and took advantage of an innocent child. He emphasised the prevalence of the offence and that the court should not deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence.

Delivering judgment, Magistrate Paul Moeng said the offence was carefully planned and that the victim sustained serious injuries. The accused was known to the family; the victim trusted him as her father. Finding no substantial or compelling circumstances to deviate, the court sentenced Bendile to life imprisonment, declaring him unfit to work with children.

Commending the outcome

Welcoming the verdict, the director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended Zimema and all the relevant stakeholders who played a crucial role in finalising the matter. The NPA reaffirms its unwavering commitment to prosecuting GBV crimes, particularly against women and children.

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