A 42-year-old North West man, Andries Sefume, was slapped with a life sentence by the Itsoseng regional court on Monday for the rape of his 23-year-old niece.
The court further declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
Evidence sealed the case
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Henry Mamothame said that evidence was presented in court.
It revealed that in the early hours of December 24, 2021, the complainant was sleeping at her grandmother’s house in Bodibe.
She was there to visit for the holidays.
He explained: “The accused, who is her uncle, knocked on the door and she opened for him and proceeded to sleep.
Overpowered victim
“After a short while, she was awakened by the uncle, who was on top of her.
“He then overpowered her and proceeded to rape her repeatedly.
“Following this incident, he fled the scene, and the complainant reported the matter to the neighbours, who alerted the police.”
Mamothame said that the accused was caught in police nets a year later on December 31, 2022 and the court denied him bail.
Arrest and trial
He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
State prosecutor Itumeleng Boikanyo urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment as there were substantial and compelling circumstances to do so.
Magistrate Ndade Maphango agreed with the state and remarked on the prevalence of rape in society.
Hard stance on rape
Maphango said this calls for the court to act decisively against the perpetrators.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the prosecutor and Sergeant Bongi Mofokeng.
The two were lauded for their collaboration on a successful conviction.
She further lauded the court for its hard stance in dealing with perpetrators of such crimes.
