With gender-based violence declared a pandemic in South Africa, the high court in Polokwane has convicted and sentenced Michael Levy Nangoma to a hefty 25 years in jail for murder, rape, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the accused raped and murdered six-year-old Boithakgatso Komane, whose body was later found in the Tubatse policing area.
Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson in Limpopo, said the accused pleaded guilty to all charges.
“He called the deceased to his bedroom, closed the door, and grabbed and pinned her to his bed where he raped her,” said Malabi-Dzhangi.
Malabi-Dzhangi further said the accused then took off his T-shirt and strangled the deceased, picked up the body and dumped it over the neighbour’s wall with the hope that he will dispose of it before it can be discovered.
State advocate Muneiwa Ratshibvumo argued that the offence is serious and prevalent, being more serious as it carries a minimum sentence, and that it was perpetrated against a six-year-old child who falls under the category of a vulnerable group of persons.
The court further declared Nangoma unfit to possess a firearm and also unfit to work with children.
Last week, Police Minister Bheki Cele released crime statistics which revealed that fewer children were killed between January and March 2023.
Child murders decreased by almost 20% and a slight decrease was also noted in assault with intention to cause grievous bodily harm cases of children.
“One child murder is one too many and the South African Police Service must strive for zero tolerance on the murder of children,” said Cele.
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