The Kathu Regional Court handed down a 15-year prison sentence to a 27-year-old Northern Cape man who was convicted for his part in gang-raping a 24-year-old woman in Deben.
THE KATHU Regional Court handed down a 15-year prison sentence to Piet “Papawe” Olyn, 27, who was convicted of the gang rape of a 24-year-old woman in Deben.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam said on Tuesday that the incident took place on June 19, 2021, while the woman was asleep in her room.
She was awoken when she felt someone on top of her.
“During the trial, the court was told that the complainant recognised the accused who was busy raping her,” said Sam.
“She pushed him away and saw that there was another person known to her in the room telling the accused that it was ‘his turn’ as he unzipped his trousers.”
Sam stated that the woman related her ordeal to her aunt and reported the matter to the police.
“Both suspects were arrested and charged for the alleged gang rape. The accused’s accomplice unfortunately passed away before the finalisation of the court case.”
Sam added that Olyn’s name was entered into the national register for sex offenders and he was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
“The police will remain relentless in ensuring that justice is served for victims of GBVF (gender-based violence and femicide),” Sam emphasised.
The acting provincial commissioner of the SAPS in the Northern Cape, Major-General Luntu Ngubelanga, and his management welcomed the 15-year sentence handed to Olyn and commended the investigating officer in the matter, Detective Constable John Belle, for his “thorough investigative work” on the case.
