Blind Sex Offender Pleads For Release

Tumelo Mouwane | Monday February 22, 2016 16:36

 

Currently serving his 20-year sentence at Boys prison in Gaborone, Kgomotso was convicted and sentenced by Kanye chief magistrate, Janet Phosa in April 2013 after finding him guilty of sexually molesting three girls, who were under his custody between 2010 and 2012.

Kgomotso wants the high court to consider an alternative sentence. In his submissions the offender said his health conditions and unavailability of resources to cater for blind inmates at prison have driven him to appeal the sentence as he is having it hard to survive in harsh prison conditions.

“I was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in 2013 and I was partially blind when the sentence was passed. My situation has now worsened and I am now totally blind. I am having serious difficulties surviving in prison as I spend all my days in a cell,” Kgomotso said.

The convict said his doctor told him that his illness has no cure therefore pleaded for mercy and forgiveness.

The Directorate of Public Prosecutions dismissed Kgomotso lamentations of total blindness saying he was ‘partially’ blind during sentence. The DPP opposed the appeal on the basis that Kgomotso’s sentence has a “cumulative” effect and 20-years jail sentence was not harsh.

The DPP further argued that the sentence was appropriate since he (Kgomotso) took advantage of children under his custody.

The prisoner also told the court that his medical certificate was not submitted before the magistrate’s court during trial, but was only handed in afterwards.

“I am not able to aid myself in prison at all. All other inmates at prison are always busy with something and I spend the whole day in a cell. I can take up to two weeks without bathing unless another inmate provides aid,” Kgomotso said.

Radijeng is expected to deliver ruling on the matter on April 22.