By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
The Schweizer Reneke Regional Court has sentenced Motlhaliemang Alfred Motshwane (36), to life imprisonment for raping his 12-year-old stepdaughter and a further five years for kidnapping.
The court further declared him unfit to possess a firearm and his name will be recorded in the register of sexual offenders.
According to Henry Mamothame, NPA spokesperson, Motshwane’s conviction emanated from an incident that unfolded in December 2017, at Ipelegeng township.
He took the 12-year-old victim and her 3-year-old sibling to the kraal just outside the township without their mother’s consent.
Mamothame said upon arrival, the younger sibling was asleep and Motshwane took his jersey off and let her sleep on it.
He subsequently ordered the 12-year-old to undress, but she refused and attempted to escape, said Mamothame.
“Motshwane caught up with her and moved her to a different location within the kraals and raped her. At the time of the rape, the 3-year-old was awake, and she observed her sister’s suffering.
“The siblings were let go and upon arrival, the younger sister relayed the story to the grandmother as her sister was crying hysterically.
“She was, however also able to corroborate what her sibling relayed to the grandmother. At that point, their mother was out looking for them, and upon her return, the grandmother relayed the incident to her and she confronted Motshwane, who denied ever raping the child.”
When he was asked to accompany them to the hospital for the child to receive a medical checkup, he immediately fled.
Mamothame said the matter was reported to the police and Motshawane was arrested two weeks later and the court denied him bail.
In aggravation of the sentence, the state prosecutor, Mpho Sephapo urged the court not to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence of life imprisonment.
He argued that the accused abused the trust the victim had in him as a father figure and that his action was not about sex but displaying his power over a defenceless child.
In passing sentence, Magistrate Patricia Rangwako agreed with the state and further remarked that the accused showed no remorse for his actions.
She further condemned the accused for committing the offence in front of his 3-year-old.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari lauded the SAPS and the prosecution for a collaboration that resulted in a his conviction.