THE Lehurutshe Regional Court has sentenced Tshiamo Godfrey Mmale (19) to life imprisonment for raping a 13-year-old girl.
On Friday 8 September, he was also sentenced to a further 12 months' imprisonment for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
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The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently.
Mmale’s conviction emanates from an incident that occurred on 16 October 2011 at Dinokana village, near Zeerust, when the complainant was given permission by her mother to go to the salon.
On her way back, she was confronted by the accused, who forcibly dragged her to his house and assaulted her with open hands.
When she arrived at his house, he threatened her with a knife and raped her before letting her go.
Mmale was arrested the next day, but the matter was provisionally struck off as a result of the DNA test, as he denies having any sexual intercourse with the complainant.
The matter was reopened in November 2015 after the results of the DNA test results came back positive. At that time, the accused changed his version of the story and said he had consensual sexual intercourse with her.
The state prosecutor, Botsang Phawe pointed out to the court that the fact that the complainant remembers the traumatic day four years after the events indicates that the traumatic experience will stay with her forever.
He urged the court not to deviate from the mandatory minimum sentence of life imprisonment as there were no compelling circumstances to do so. Magistrate Stefan Du Toit agreed with the state and imposed a sentence that fits the offence.
North West Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended the prosecutor and investigating officer and acknowledged the important role of Thuthuzela Care Centre in assisting the complainant to bring the perpetrator to justice.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesman Henry Mamothame said he welcomed the sentence imposed on Mmale.
"We are grateful that justice has been served for the young girl. She was brave enough to testify in court about her traumatic experiences with Mmale.
"We hope that this conviction shows that the criminal justice system has an important role to play in the fight against the sketch of rape in our society," said Mamothame.
