Man gets 12 years behind bars for raping a minor

THE SOUTH African Police Service (SAPS) management in the Northern Cape has expressed satisfaction with the recent conviction and sentencing of a 46-year-old man for rape by the Kakamas Regional Court.

Detective Sergeant Jurie Mokgalagadi of the Kakamas SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit was commended for his role in securing the conviction.

Provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane confirmed that the accused was found guilty of rape and sentenced to 15 years in prison, with three years of the sentence suspended for five years.

Shemane said the court heard that on March 4, 2020, the 17-year-old victim was walking home when she was accosted by the accused. He threatened to kill her if she screamed, dragged her to a nearby abandoned house, and raped her.

The victim reported the incident to the Kakamas police station, leading to the arrest of the accused.

The SAPS management praised the efforts of the FCS unit and reiterated their commitment to bringing perpetrators of such heinous crimes to justice.

The police have appealed to the public to adopt and observe the following safety measures to help prevent becoming victims of crime:

Safety tips for socialising or going on a date

• Set Boundaries:

• Stay Safe:

• Seek Help:

• Stay Vigilant:

• The Buddy System:

• Be Aware:

• Know Your Rights: