Man gets 18 years for raping woman he lured from tavern

A 32-YEAR-OLD man will spend nearly two decades behind bars after he was convicted of raping a woman he had lured from a tavern under the pretence of socialising.

Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Omphile Masegela said the horrific events unfolded on the night of May 23, 2024, when the victim and her friends met the accused, Velile Sannie, at a local drinking spot in Postmasburg. He offered to buy them alcohol and invited the group to continue drinking at his residence.

Once there, everyone reportedly fell asleep on the same bed. But during the night, the atmosphere turned violent. Sannie began touching the 29-year-old woman inappropriately. When she resisted, he assaulted her with a belt and went on to rape her.

The woman reported the incident the next day, and the police subsequently arrested Sannie. After a thorough investigation by the Postmasburg SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit, the case was brought to court.

This week, the Upington Regional Court sentenced Sannie to 18 years in prison for rape. He has also been declared unfit to possess a firearm, and his name has been entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

The ZF Mgcawu district commissioner, Major-General Monica Sebili, commended Constable Boitshepo Bele from the Postmasburg FCS unit for her thorough investigation, which helped secure a lengthy prison sentence for Sannie. She also praised the strong collaboration between the SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority in the shared pursuit of justice. 

Sergeant Masegela added that FCS detectives remain committed to holding perpetrators of gender-based violence accountable and ensuring justice for victims.