Two men were each sentenced to 10 years direct imprisonment for rape in two separate cases in Kathu.
A NORTHERN Cape man who was found guilty of rape was sentenced to 10 years direct imprisonment by the Kathu Regional Court.
The incident happened on November 4, 2018, when the accused visited his cousin’s girlfriend in Kathu.
Police spokesperson Captain Olebogeng Tawana said the accused, Ronnie Swartz, was introduced to the complainant, whom he later persuaded to accompany him to buy beer at the local tavern.
“On the day of the incident the accused was driving a motor vehicle and the complainant agreed to accompany him. On their way to the tavern, Swartz brought the vehicle to a standstill near bushes where he started touching the victim in an uncomfortable manner. Once he realised that she was not in favour of his acts, he started to assault her with his fists and finally raped her,” said Tawana.
He added that following the incident, Swartz had driven to the tavern and bought some beers, as he had initially promised the complainant. “He pleaded with her not to tell anyone about the ordeal.”
Tawana said the complainant refused and reported the rape incident.
“She informed her family members, who later took her to Kathu police station to report the matter. The accused was traced and arrested on November 5, 2018.”
He stated that the investigating officer, Sergeant Boikanyo Pilane, successfully opposed bail and the accused remained in police custody until the completion of the trial.
“The accused was found guilty in the Kathu Regional Court on February 18 and was sentenced to 10 years direct imprisonment. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.”
In a separate matter, another Northern Cape man was also sentenced to 10 years direct imprisonment for raping his ex-girlfriend on February 6 last year.
Tawana stated that the woman was accosted by her ex-boyfriend as she was leaving her shanty to collect water in Mapoteng location, Kathu.
“He grabbed her from behind and pushed her back into the shanty, threw her on the bed and raped her. The victim wrestled with the accused and was able to escape. She was rescued by her neighbour and reported the assault to the police in Kathu,” said Tawana.
He added that the accused was arrested, was denied bail and was remanded in police custody until the finalisation of the trial.
“The accused was sentenced in the Kathu Regional Court on February 18. He was declared unfit to possess a firearm.”
The Northern Cape police management welcomed the sentence and commended the investigating officer, Constable Kgomotsego Mokomele, the National Prosecuting Authority and the Department of Justice for their collaboration in securing the sentence.
