Limpopo man sentenced to life in jail for raping his young niece
The Mankweng Regional Court, on Monday sentenced a 33-year-old resident of Mankweng outside Polokwane to life in prison for the rape of his 12-year-old niece.
LIMPOPO – According to the police, the man who cannot be named to protect the identify of the victim, raped the girl at their home near Nobody village on 1 February in 2019.
Originally the mother of the victim did not believe her daughter and only after other relatives were informed of her ordeal, was a case opened against the culprit.
“On the day, the victim was alone at home when the accused had arrived home drunk. He demanded food from her and after eating, he then went to her room naked and dragged her into his bedroom where he raped her. She reported the incident to her mother the following day, who did not believe her and no action was taken against the accused,” reads a statement issued by Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe.
A few days later the victim revealed her ordeal to relatives in the area, who contacted the police. A case of rape was opened and the uncle was arrested on 10 February.
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“The case was assigned to Det Sgt Koena Shilajwe from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit whose meticulously investigations assured the accused was sentenced to an effective life imprisonment term.”
Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba as well as the MEC for Social Development, Nkakareng Rakgoale, welcomed the long jail term handed down to the accused and thanked all those involved for their hard work.
In a statement, Rakgoale said the lengthy jail term imposed on this man will go a long way in sending a strong message about government’s determination in the fight against the abuse of women and children. She further commended the social workers who have been with the victim since the case was reported and helped ensure that the victim and all witnesses testified in court. “We believe that an increase on the conviction rate will demonstrate that as government we are very serious in our war against gender-based violence as the killing, rape and abuse of women by men that continue to plague the country, is taking away the dignity and rights of women and children.”
In the statement she commended the police, social workers, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPS) and other stakeholders for having worked tirelessly to ensure that they secure a conviction. She added that the department will continue to closely monitor all GBV cases that have not yet been finalised to see to it that justice prevails.
