Double life imprisonment for Sebokeng child rapist
Justice has been served just after the nation begins commemoration of Child Protection Week (May 29-June 5), as the Palm Ridge High Court sentenced a 43-year-old man to two life terms and an additional thirteen years’ imprisonment for the rape and murder of a six-year-old girl child.
The accused was also found guilty for defeating the ends of justice and attempted murder.
“The six-year-old child was playing with friends near her grandmother’s home in Sebokeng on Saturday, July 31 when the suspect lured her to his rented backroom which is not far from the victim’s home. The grandmother went looking for her granddaughter when she did not return home after playing at the neighbor’s house. Witnesses indicated that they heard the child crying inside the suspect’s room and the grandmother confronted him. The suspect subsequently felt “cornered” and stabbed the grandmother before he fled with a black refuse bag containing a heavy substance.”
“The police immediately launched a search to locate the missing child and suspect. Within 24-hours the police found the child’s body buried in a mine hole near her grandmother’s home, the suspect was traced and arrested a few days later,” explained police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Sello.
The case was assigned to Captain Makonyane Piet Motsoeneng, a detective based at Sebokeng Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit.
Captain Motsoeneng meticulously pieced all the evidence together which resulted in a water-tight case against the accused in court.
The Provincial Commissioner of police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela welcomed the recent lengthy sentence handed down to the child rapist and murderer.
Lt-Gen. Mawela further commended the officer for leading quality investigation and the swift finalisation of the case.
“This case was resolved and finalised within months, a clear indication that members of the South African Police Service remain committed in fighting crime against women, children and vulnerable persons,” said Lt Gen Mawela.
