LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE
The Mothibistad Regional Court has sentenced Accused Onkgopotse Ngakanyane(38) from Vergenoeg Village near Mothibistad in the Northern Cape to life imprisonment after he was convicted of rape of a 27-year-old woman. On 04 March 2023, the accused was at a tavern in Vergenoeg when heard the victim requesting directions to where she could buy snuff. He then promised the victim to show her where to buy snuff. Along the way he made sexual advances to her, and she turned him down. He grabbed her by clothing and dragged her to his place of residence and raped the complainant more than once. The complaint then reported the matter to the police and the accused was arrested and charged with rape.
During the trial, the prosecution led by Regional Court Prosecutor Mr Emmanuel Gabobonwe, argued that the court should sentence the accused to the maximum sentence applicable for such a crime as the accused had shown no remorse. He planned to victimize the victim as he forced her into his home even when she resisted. Took advantage of a vulnerable woman who had trusted him, and he betrayed that trust.
In sentencing, the court agreed with the prosecution that a clear message should be sent to the communities, that perpetrators will be prosecuted and sentenced appropriately for any GBVF-related matters and the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment by the court. The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the sentence given to the accused and envisages that this sentence will send a clear message to would-be perpetrators of GBVF-related cases. This sentence re-enforces the NPA’s commitment to fight the scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, particularly against women and vulnerable people.
