EMPLOYEE SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR RAPE OF A MINOR
The Groblersdal Regional Court sentenced Shonono Amos Sibande (44), to life imprisonment following the conviction of rape of an eight-year-old girl. On the day of the incident on 02 September 2020, the accused was working at the victim’s homestead at Tafelkop. He was employed to erect the wall and to clean the yard. The victim was left alone in the house by the mother while watching television.
The accused entered the house and found the victim sleeping on a sofa, he undressed the victim and raped her. He further threatened to kill her if she told anyone. The victim did not report the incident to anyone. Almost a year later, the victim’s mother became concerned about the changing behaviour of the child and her loss of weight. As a result, she took the child to the local clinic and the child was referred to the local hospital wherein it was confirmed by the doctor that the victim was raped. It was then that the victim reported to the mother about the rape and the matter was reported to the police.
The Regional Court Prosecutor, Sifiso Miya led the evidence of the victim and her mother to prove the case for the state. In aggravation of sentence, prosecutor Miya submitted that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances present for the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. He further argued that the accused was placed in a position of trust and had broken such trust by violating the victim. The court found that indeed there were no substantial and compelling circumstances and sentenced the accused to life imprisonment. The court further ordered that the name of the accused be recorded in the Sexual Offenders Register.
The NPA welcomes the sentence, and the Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Ivy Thenga commended the good work done by prosecutor Miya and Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Wilson Thoka.
