Kuruman rape and kidnap suspects sentenced

THREE men facing charges of rape and the kidnapping of an 11-year-old girl were recently sentenced in the Kathu Regional Court.

The incident happened on 2 June 2013 at about 13:00, when the victim was at a tuckshop in Kuruman.

She was accosted by the three accused, who raped her multiple times behind the premises and again at a nearby stadium.

The suspects fled and were arrested between June 2020 and October 2021 after a lengthy investigation.

The accused remained in custody until their sentenced.

Emmanuel Modise, 25, and Ditebogo Tshegodikae, 31, were both sentenced to 22 years imprisonment for rape, and seven years imprisonment for kidnapping.

Patrick Gaebetse, 31, was sentenced to an effective 20 years for rape and kidnapping.

The investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Gwyneth Paulsen, of the Provincial Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations Unit led the investigation that resulted in the sentencing of the perpetrators.