LIFE SENTENCE FOR RAPING A MINOR
LUTENDO LIVHEBE – MUDAU. The Mount Fletcher Regional Court sentenced Lebohang Mphamela (27), to life imprisonment after convicting him on a charge of raping a 13-year-old girl. On 16 January 2022, at the Mlumbe location, in the district of Mount Fletcher, the victim was alone at home, as her grandmother was attending a traditional ceremony (umgidi) in the same village. Mphamela arrived and told the girl that her grandmother sent him to invite her to the same ceremony. She left with him as they were known to one another, but on the way, Mphamela convinced her to go to his home to fetch his jacket as it was getting late.
Upon arrival at his home, Mphamela overpowered the girl, threw her on his bed and raped her. He threatened her with death, should she tell anyone about the rape. However, the victim reported to her grandmother, leading to his arrest.
During the trial, Mphamela pleaded not guilty, but Adv. Bongeka Honono led the evidence of the victim and the grandmother. The prosecutor argued that the court should not deviate from the prescribed sentence and that the court send a clear message to rapists and would-be rapists that the justice system is not tolerant of their evil actions against children and vulnerable people in society. Magistrate Msiswa Mjame, found no substantive and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence as prayed for by the state.
Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Barry Madolo commended the prosecutor and the investigating officer for ensuring that the case is swiftly dealt with.
