LIMPOPO – Ephraim Malose Motebele (35) from Baipeing Phagameng in Limpopo, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison by the Modimolle Regional Court.
Motebele was convicted on four counts of rape and four counts of sexual grooming, according to a statement by the regional Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi.
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“On 28 August 2017, Motebele used a 15-year-old victim to lure other young girls, between the ages of nine and 15 years, from the Baipeing Phagameng area. He would then let them sniff glue and while they were in an intoxicated state, rape them,” her statement reads.
Malabi-Dzhangi said Motebele was arrested on 17 September 2017, after the brother of the victim found his little sister lying in the street. “She woke up and pointed to the place where she was kept. The police were alerted and the girl led them to the scene where the accused was arrested in his shack, where the other young girls were kept.”
Malabi-Dzhangi added that Motebele pleaded not guilty during his trial, but that his DNA results linked him positively. “In aggravation of sentence, the victim impact report, which was compiled by the social worker, was submitted to the court. It demonstrated the impact the rape had on the victims and their family. The prosecutor, advocate Doria Keulder Groenewald, said that the victims will live with the memory of the incident for the rest of their life. She further pleaded with the court to remove the accused from the community and sentence the accused to life imprisonment as he has destroyed the lives of the children,” the statement added.
Motebele’s sentences, 30 years for rape and 10 years for sexual grooming, were ordered to run concurrently.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, advocate Ivy Thenga, commended the prosecutor and investigation team for their endless efforts in the fight against gender-based violence. Thenga further praised the community for rescuing the victim and handing the suspect over to the police.
