By Thys Khiba – A stepfather, Motlhaliemang Alfred Motshwane has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Schweizer Reneke Regional Court for raping his 12-year-old stepdaughter and a further five years for kidnapping.
Motshwane raped his 12-year-old stepdaughter in front of her 3-year-old sibling in December 2017, at Ipelegeng township.
Prison
He was arrested two weeks later and the court denied him bail after he incident was reported to the police.
The 36-yearold man took the 12-year-old victim and her 3-year-old sibling, to the kraal just outside the township without their mother’s consent.
“Upon arrival, the younger sibling was asleep and Motshwanetook his jersey off and let her sleep on it.
“He subsequently ordered the 12-year-old to undress, but she refused and attempted to escape.
“Motshwane caught up with her and moved her to a different location within the kraals and raped her. At the time of the rape, the 3-year-old was awake, and she observed her sister’s suffering,” said North West NPA spokesperson Henry Mamothame.
After the incident the younger sister shared the details of thestory with the grandmother as her sister was crying hysterically.
She was however also able to confirm what her sibling repeatedto the grandmother.
“At that point, their mother was out looking for them, the grandmother relayed the incident to her, and she confronted Motshwane, who denied ever raping the child.”
Motshwane decided to run away after being asked to accompany them to the hospital for the child to receive a medical check-up.
IN COURT:
Motshwane was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The NPA indicated that his name will be recorded in the register of sexual offenders.
During the court proceedings, the state prosecutor, MphoSephapo advised the court not to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence of life imprisonment.
Sephapo maintained that Motshwane abused the trust the victim had in him as a father figure and that his action was not about sex but displaying his power over a defenceless child.
Magistrate Patricia Rangwako agreed with the sentiments of the state and suggested that Motshwane showed no remorse for his actions.
Rangwako further condemned the accused for committing the offence in front of his 3-year-old.
CENTRAL NEWS
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