Rapist get 10 years

Olefile Serokolo | Wednesday June 14, 2017 17:20

 

Kgakego was convicted for raping Diphimotswe Lekgetho who is also 23 years on November 3, 2015 in Botshabelo. When passing judgement, Ngebani explained to Kgakego that the court has put into consideration what he said in his defence when coming up with the sentence. 

Ngebani however said the accused had failed to provide exceptional extenuating circumstances that could convince the court to give him a lighter sentence. “In my view, the reasons you advanced to court were not that convincing,” he said. Ngebani said Kgakego is not a first time offender as he has previous convictions from six cases that were also brought before court.

He said in all the crimes committed, he used force just like the current one.  Ngebani further said issues of rape are a great concern in this country and a clear message has to be sent to persons of similar depositions that such behaviour will not be tolerated. 

Magistrate Ngebani said he also took into consideration the humiliation and trauma that the complainant suffered because of the offence.  “The complaint will have to live with the stigma and the disturbing experience she went through for a long time,” he said.

The magistrate ordered that Kgakego’s sentence be backdated to the day he was remanded in custody, which is April 2016. Kgakego was advised to appeal to the High Court within 14 days if he is not satisfied with his conviction or sentence.  Thereafter, Ngebani sentenced Gobona Marupe, 32, of Mogapi to seven years in prison for a single count of grievous body harm on Oduetse Mogomotsi, 37.

The offence is said to have been committed on December 25, 2015. Ngebani ordered that the sentence be backdated to May 22, 2017, the day he was convicted.