Tebogo Msimanga |
The Mankweng Regional Court on Friday sentenced December Makhura (33) from Mankweng village to life imprisonment for the rape of a minor in 2016.
The victim, who was 10 years old at the time of the incident told the court that in February 2016 during the day when she was playing, the accused dragged her into the bushes and raped her. She knew him very well as he was staying in the same village.
Limpopo National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Spokesperson Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi said Makhura then hit her with an open hand and told her to go home after the incident. “She reported to her teacher after a few days because she was feeling pains in her private parts and the matter was reported to the police.”
Dzhangi said during the trial, the victim, who is now 16 years old, told the court that she was stigmatised by the community after the incident which led to her failing a grade two times. She was teased by old men who told her she should sleep with them too. She became argumentative and experienced nightmares about the accused.
There was no DNA to link the accused to the offence as it was reported late and the complainant was 10 years old during the commission of the offence. She had difficulties recalling the intricate details of the case due to her age. Her testimony had to be led through the assistance of an intermediary, Granny Lemekwane.
Dzhangi added that the pre-sentence report for the accused was also handed in. “The probation officer, Ramoraswi recommended that the accused must be sentenced to life imprisonment.”
The NPA welcomed the sentence and compliment the good work of the investigator and the prosecutor.
