*Phuthaditjhaba: 4 July 2024 -* The Phuthaditjhaba Family, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, together with the National Prosecuting Authority, successfully convicted six people who were accused of rape in outstanding cases that occurred between 2011 and 2023.
Between 25 June and 2 July 2024, Phuthaditjhaba, Tseseng and Tseki Magistrates’ Courts handed over a total of 85 years of direct imprisonment to six rapists within Qwaqwa.
The first accused raped his girlfriend’s daughter, aged 14 years, at Tseki Village during September 2022, and he was sentenced to 15 years of direct imprisonment.
The second accused from Tseki Village raped the victim, aged 16, in July 2023 and was sentenced to 15 years of direct imprisonment.
The third accused from Tseseng Village was sentenced to 18 years of direct imprisonment for raping a 20-year-old woman at the river and robbed her of her cellphone at Makeneng Village during January 2023.
The 25-year-old woman from Thibella section of Tseseng Village was caught and raped by the accused at the two-room house with a knife on her way home. He was sentenced to 15 years of direct imprisonment.
In March 2011, a 17-year-old girl from Matebeleng Village was raped by the accused person after he found her in the street and pulled her to a certain house where he raped her and threatened her with a knife. He was sentenced to 12 years of direct imprisonment.
In March 2023, the 22-year-old from Phuthaditjhaba was walking with another student from the classroom on their way home when they were accosted by an accused who caught one of the women and raped the other. Another one fled and summoned community members, who arrested the accused and handed him over to police. The accused was sentenced to 10 years of direct imprisonment.
All the cases were handled by Magistrate Msimanga and prosecuted by Mr Chabangu.
*Enquiries:* Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring
0824556176
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By: Sanele Makubo