“The accused was sentenced to 24 years’ imprisonment for the first rape charge and 24 years for the second charge of rape. Both sentences will run concurrently.”
A 20-YEAR-old Northern Cape man was sentenced to 48 years’ imprisonment after he was found guilty of raping an eight-year-old girl.
Police spokesperson Colonel Mashay Gamieldien said the accused, Willem Oliphant, was sentenced in the Colesberg circuit high court on Thursday, May 20.
“The accused was sentenced to 24 years’ imprisonment for the first rape charge and 24 years for the second charge of rape. Both sentences will run concurrently. His name was also recorded in the sex offenders register and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm,” said Gamieldien.
She explained that Oliphant was convicted of raping the girl twice on September 1, 2019 in a gully near Philipstown before fleeing the scene.
“The girl was found later the same evening with serious injuries sustained during the rape, where she had to receive reconstructive surgery.
“The accused was arrested on September 4, 2019 by the investigating officer, warrant officer Valery Booysen.”
The acting deputy provincial commissioner for Crime Detection, Brigadier Nicky Mills, on Thursday welcomed the collective 48-year sentence handed down for the heinous crime and applauded Booysen for the meticulous investigative work on the case.
“The sentence sends out a strong message to perpetrators committing gender-based violence, that if they are caught they will face the full might of the law.”
