UNCLE SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR VIOLATION OF HIS 13-YEAR-OLD NIECE
Mokopane, Limpopo – The Mokopane Regional Court has sentenced a 23-year-old man from Malepetleke village to life imprisonment for the rape of his niece aged 13. The name of the accused is concealed to protect the victim’s identity as they are related. The accused pleaded guilty admitting that on 29 October 2024, at his homestead, he entered the room of the victim and forcefully removed her clothes and raped her. The victim reported the incident to the nurses at the clinic, upon examination rape was confirmed. The incidented was reported to the police who then arrested the accused.
In aggravation of sentence, the state Prosecutor Takalani Sydney Mboyi, submitted that the offence had affected the victim emotionally, and she could not focus on her school. He further submitted that the accused was not remorseful and instead of being a protector, he betrayed the trust of his niece by sexually abusing her. He concluded by submitting that there are no substantial or compelling circumstances warranting the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence and recommended that the prescribed minimum sentence be imposed, and the court sentenced the accused to life imprisonment.
The NPA welcomes the sentence, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Ivy Thenga stands firm against the abuse of women and children. She further praised the good work done by Mr Mboyi and all other stakeholders involved in achieving this conviction.
