Passers-by respond to cries for help, rapist jailed for 15 years

A 30-YEAR-OLD man from Niekerkshoop, Elrico Bradley Leroy Hartebees, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for rape. The Griekwastad Regional Court found him guilty of the crime, which occurred on November 24, 2023.

The victim was attacked from behind while walking to visit her boyfriend, pushed to the ground and raped. She screamed for help and lost consciousness during the assault. Two passers-by heard her cries and intervened, chasing Hartebees away and alerting police.

Hartebees pleaded not guilty, but was convicted based on testimony from the victim and the two witnesses, as well as evidence gathered by Detective Constable Dineo Mogaladi.

Major-General Nomana Mtukushe, district commissioner of Pixley ka Seme, praised Mogaladi and the prosecutor, Mr Thebane, for their work on the case, saying they showed "dedication and professionalism, which led to the successful prosecution of the case".

Hartebees was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.