By Thys Khiba – Daniel Kediemetse Sehemo has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Taung Regional Court for raping a 73-year-old woman.
This comes after an elderly woman reported the matter to the police and Sehemo was subsequently arrested. The state has opposed and denied bail for the accused.
On Tuesday, the NPA regional spokesperson Henry Mamothameconfirmed the conviction emanates from an incident that took place on 03 November 2022, at Sekhing Village near Taung, whereat Sehemo broke into the home of an elderly neighbour with the intent to commit rape.
“He subsequently strangled and raped her before fleeing the scene. Sehemo knew the victim very well and also had privileged information that she stayed by herself and had in the previous year suffered from a stroke,” said Mamothame.
While in court, the state prosecutor, Tecia Khula, urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment, arguing that elderly people are vulnerable and must be protected from the likes of Sehemo.
In the mitigation of the sentence, his defence read a statement wherein he pleaded guilty as an illustration to express remorse for his action.
The victim also took a stand and referred to her ordeal as a painful one, as it was committed by a person she trusted, referring to him as “my son” while giving her evidence.
The Taung Regional Court Magistrate Buti Zulu shared the same legal view with the state and lamented that society is outraged by rape as it makes them feel unsafe.
Zule further alluded to the responsibility the court has in imposing sentences that will restore the faith of the public in the criminal justice system.
Meanwhile, the provincial Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr Rachel Makhari Sekhaolelo, lauded the state prosecutor and the investigating officer from the SAPS for a collaboration that yielded a positive outcome.
“Our fight against in protecting the most vulnerable members of society will be demonstrated through such convictions”, said Makhari Sekhaolelo.
CENTRAL NEWS
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