By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
The Christiana Regional Court sentenced Lesego Andrew Maribe (36), to life imprisonment for raping his ex-girlfriend.
The court further ordered that his name be registered in the sexual offender’s register.
According to NPA spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, Maribe’s conviction emanates from an incident that occurred on 02 July 2021, wherein he went to his ex-girlfriend’s house in Christiana and demanded to be let in while kicking the door.
“Upon hearing the voice of the accused, the complainant refused to open and rushed to the back of the house to exit and run away from danger.
“Maribe managed to apprehend her and started assaulting her while dragging her to his place. When they arrived at his place, he repeatedly raped her and only let her leave the following day during midday,” said Mamothame.
Mamothame said the woman subsequently went to her aunt to report the matter and later reported the matter to the police.
Mamothame said Maribe was arrested and the court denied him bail. He said it was also discovered that he had previous convictions of rape and attempted rape to which he served jail time.
In aggravation of sentence, the State Prosecutor Qcinimuzi Radebe, urged the court not to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence of life imprisonment, “as records show that the accused had been convicted for a similar offence and he be removed from society to restore peace”.
Magistrate Lincoln Matjele agreed with the state and remarked that rape is an offence that degrades the dignity of the victim.
He further alluded to the responsibility bestowed on the courts to send a strong message to offenders of such heinous crimes.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the prosecutor, investigating officer and other role players for a collaboration that secured a conviction.
She called on communities to advocate against the abuse of women, children and the elderly.