A Free State man was recently sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a teenage girl in Kroonstad in 2019.

The Kroonstad Regional Court handed the 27-year-old, Lehlohonolo Deeu, a hefty sentence after the rape of the then 13-year-old girl, which happened on September 10, 2019 in the area.

Free State police spokesperson Sergeant Josephine Rani says it is alleged that the suspect was hired to transport kids to a nearby holiday resort for the holidays.

“While at the resort, he pursued the teenager romantically, which she refused. Upon departure, the suspect ensured that he transported all the children to their homes, leaving the teen behind in the vehicle while he went inside a tavern,” says Rani.

“The victim, whom he left in the car, requested that Deeu take her home as she wanted to use the restrooms. Furthermore, he told the victim to go inside the tavern to use the bathroom, and he followed her. He then grabbed the opportunity and raped the suspect in one of the toilets at the tavern, whereupon he took her home.”

Upon arrival at home, the girl told her mother about the series of events. They went to the police and opened a case of rape against Deeu.

The investigating officer, Sergeant Sellwane Moodisa of the Kroonstad Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offenses Unit, worked relentlessly to ensure that Deeu was brought to book for the act he committed.

The might of the law caught up with his deeds on Tuesday when he was sentenced to life imprisonment.