HIV positive man sentenced to 12 years in jail

FRANCISTOWN: A 39-year-old HIV positive man was last Friday slapped with a 12- year term after being convicted on a single count of rape.

The rapist, Brown Badiredi, committed the offence at Nata village on September 30, 2011.In his ruling, magistrate Kgololesego Segabo said the accused deserves a stiffer punishment to deter others from committing similar offences in future because he is not a first offender.He once served a 10-year jail term for a similar offence."Rape is a violent crime and it violates women's rights. As such the courts are called upon to punish offenders severely," said Segabo.

Prosecutor Mothosera Busang told the court that the state failed to determine if the accused was HIV positive or not when he committed the offence.He pleaded with the court to impose the minimum statutory sentence of 10-years in jail because they were no exceptional circumstances that may have led the accused to commit the offence.During trial, the rapist denied the charge and told the court that the complainant was fabricating a case against him.However the magistrate ruled that the state has proven its case against the accused beyond reasonable doubt.He found all witnesses that testified against the accused to be credible and consistent in their testimony before court.

Editor's Comment
Women unite for progress

It underscores the indispensable role women play in our society, particularly in building strong households and nurturing families. The recognition of women as the bedrock of our communities is not just a sentiment; it's a call to action for all women to stand together and support each other in their endeavours.The society's aim to instil essential principles and knowledge for national development is crucial. By providing a platform for...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up