Expected to deliver sentencing last week following his conviction and mitigation, Senior Magistrate Goratile Moremi-Ramakoloi advanced the sentencing of rape-convicted Kabelo to the High Court. Ramakoloi cited issues of the jurisdiction hindering her from delivering the sentence. The presiding magistrate stated that as per the jurisdiction, she could only sentence Kabelo to a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 20 years.
“We are held by the jurisdiction to deliver the right sentence to the rape-convicted Kabelo because the years that he is supposed to be sentenced to are more than 20 years in prison and I can only do a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 20 years,” she said. Ramakoloi stated that Kabelo needs to pay the hefty price for the heinous crime he committed because not only did he commit a rape offence, he violated the child that he was supposed to nurture and protect. “If you are an offender and you are a parent or guardian your minimal punishment is 30 years. This is a huge crime where a child was raped by her father, therefore, it isn't business as usual and justice wouldn't be done if we don't do things right," she said. She further highlighted that Kabelo shouldn't go off lightly with sentencing.
She stressed that Parliament has shown contention of rape, especially against children, as well as the public judging by the outrage. Ramakoloi elaborated that this is what encourages her to take the matter to the High Court for sentencing. “The victim was undoubtedly a child and was probably a virgin and the rape of a teenager isn't as dreadful as of a young child as you can only imagine the pain she went through," she said. Commenting on the mitigation levelled by the convict, Ramakoloi indicated that she wasn't moved by the submissions made. Convict Kabelo had pleaded his sentence to be lenient as he is a first-time offender, pleaded guilty, showed remorse, didn't exert violence, and was open to rehabilitation. “I'm not convinced that these mitigating factors can take away the seriousness of the punishment that awaits the convicted Kabelo,” Ramakoloi said.
Date and time of when Kabelo will be sentenced before the High Court is yet to be set as well as identifying the judge to take on the matter.
