By Thys Khiba – Ethiopian national and rapist Eshethu Desta Defere has been sentenced to life for raping a 12-year-old minor in Coligny, North West.
The 26-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Lichtenburg Regional Court.
Defere, who is a business owner and an Ethiopian national, confirmed to be illegal in the country, was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The North West NPA spokesperson Henry Mamothameconfirmed that incident occurred in June 2021 at Scotland, in Coligny.
“His conviction emanates from an incident that occurred in June 2021, at an informal settlement known as Scotland, in Coligny, where he owned a shop.
“The complainant stayed with her family in the same area, and she was sent to Defere’s shop regularly to buy items,” said Mamothame.
A 12-year-old minor told the court that on the day of the incident, she went to the shop to buy some items and upon arrival, Defere was alone at the time, dragged her to a shack behind the shop, and proceeded to rape her.
The matter was reported to the police, and the accused was arrested three days later and stayed behind bars until the completion of the trial.
The state prosecutor, Neo Sedumedi, urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment, as there were no compelling circumstances to consider.
Magistrate Boitumelo Chulu agreed with the state and remarked on the responsibility the court has in protecting the victims and members of society from such violent acts, particularly women and children.
The sentencing was also welcomed by the police provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena and the Public Prosecutions Director Dr Rachel Makhari.
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