“The accused forced the woman to accompany them to a corner behind Steynville High School where they took turns raping her.”
THREE Hopetown men, Generico Tuku, Meldon Pieterson and Vernon Philiso, were sentenced in the Kimberley Regional Court yesterday after they were convicted on charges of rape, kidnapping, assault to grevious bodily harm, crimen injuria and robbery.
Tuku was sentenced to life imprisonment, Pietersen to 25 and Philio to 20 years imprisonment for the crimes committed on July 15, 2015.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Mohale Ramatseba, said that a fourth accused was acquitted of the charges.
“On July 15, 2015 at about 3am, a 29-year-old female victim, accompanied by her friend, was on her way home when they were accosted by four males who assaulted them and chased the male friend away with stones.
“The accused forced the woman to accompany them to a corner behind Steynville High School where they took turns raping her.
“The accused were charged with rape, kidnapping, assault with grievous bodily harm, crimen injuria and robbery. The victim died of natural causes while the case was still on trial. The fourth accused was acquitted of all charges,” said Ramatseba.
He added that the investigating officer was praised for bringing the accused to book.
