A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a 19-year-old mentally challenged woman.
A MAN has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a 19-year-old mentally challenged woman. The incident occurred nearly 10 years ago.
Kabelo Boikie Tlhagnayane was arrested after he raped the teenager, his neighbour, on December 25, 2014.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the parents of the victim alerted the police about the incident after a sibling of the teenager brought it to their attention.
“On December 24, 2014, at around 9.30pm, a mentally challenged girl from Ga-Hue village in Dithakong in Bothithong was in front of their yard. The accused called the girl and took her to nearby bushes where he raped her.
“The sibling of the girl witnessed the incident and alerted the victim’s parents. A search was activated and the girl was found and the police were contacted. The girl received medical treatment and the suspect was traced and arrested,” Shemane said.
He said the conviction was welcomed.
“The Mothibistad Regional Court convicted and sentenced the accused to life imprisonment. The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and his name will be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
“The provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, applauded the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Matshidisho Boikanyo, for his thorough and meticulous investigation that led to the conviction and the sentencing of the accused.
“She further indicated that children and vulnerable groups in communities need to be protected at all times. Also, police are duty-bound to protect all victims and to remove the perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide,” Shemane concluded.
