TAUNG MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPING AN ELDERLY WOMAN
The Taung Regional Court sentenced 26-year-old Cornelius Sedumoeng, to life imprisonment for raping a 66-year-old woman, and a further 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The evidence presented in court revealed that on 24 October 2021, at Mokgareng village near Taung, Sedumoeng broke into the home of the complainant in the early hours of the morning, while she was asleep. Upon investigation, the complaint was confronted by the accused who started assaulting her before raping her. He subsequently robbed her of an amount of R450 and a cellphone before fleeing the scene.
The victim managed to recognise him while he was robbing her and his parents were informed of the incident. He admitted to raping the elderly woman and the money and cellphone he had robbed were also recovered from him. He was later arrested and the court denied him bail. He pleaded not guilty to the offence.
In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Tecia Khula urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment, as the accused took advantage of an elderly woman, whom she knew stayed by herself. Magistrate Buti Zulu agreed with the state and remarked on the prevalence of gender-based violence and the responsibility the courts have in protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari welcomes this conviction. “We lauded the collaboration of the prosecutor and the investigation officer in ensuring that the victim and her family are provided with justice, especially at a time when gender-based violence is on a rise”, she remarked.
