By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
The Rustenburg Regional Court sentenced Pusoetsile Seabaneng (23), to life imprisonment for raping a 12-year-old girl.
He was further declared unfit to work with children and his name will be listed in the national sex offender’s register.
The conviction emanates from an incident that took place at Photsaneng village, near Rustenburg, on 10 October 2016, where Seabaneng and his father were tenants at the home of the complainant, who was staying with her grandmother at the time.
According to NPA spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, evidence led in court indicates that the victim’s grandmother left Seabaneng watching TV with the complainant, as he was a trusted individual, because of their over 10-year stay renting at their home.
” He then moved closer to the victim, who was covering herself with a blanket. He subsequently undressed her without her consent, while she was resisting, and proceeded to rape her.
“Following this incident, he left the house and proceeded to his rented outside room, leaving the child unattended. She then reported the matter to her Aunt the following day and Seabaneng was arrested and charged with rape. He pleaded not guilty to the offence,” said Mamothame.
In aggravation of the sentence, the state prosecutor, Aubrey Mataboge urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.
He further argued that Seabaneng manipulated the trust that the child had in him, and that rape is a pandemic that the court has to act firmly against.
Magistrate Marion Wessel agreed with the state as she imposed life imprisonment on Seabaneng.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the collaboration of the prosecutor, investigating officer and the Thuthuzela Care Center for the conviction.
She called on an intensified advocacy against the scourge of rape and gender-based violence and femicide.