Child murderer sentenced to life in prison

A 41-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder and rape of an 11-year-old girl, police said.

Strike Thulare kidnapped a 11-year-old girl, Ofentse Mogale, of Mmakau Village on 1 February 2013.

According to reports, the Grade 5 pupil from Tlhopane Primary School was sleeping in the kitchen when she was snatched from her home.

“Mogale was found murdered and buried at Thulare’s shack on 2 February 2013. She was also raped by him,” said police spokesperson Brigadier Thulani Ngubane.

The North West provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo, commended the investigation work of the police. “This is proof that crime does not pay and that criminals will face the full might of the law,” she said.

Thulare had a criminal record. Reports state that he was released on parole in November 2011 after serving 16 years of of a 27-year sentence for house robbery, robbery and rape.