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A 25-year-old North West man has been sentenced to life in prison, with an additional five years for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, for raping a 17-year-old pregnant girl.
Deon Neo Masetlo’s sentence was handed down at the Schweizer Reneke Regional Court for the incident that occurred on 20 July 2018.
North West National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Henry Mamothame said in a statement on Wednesday that the victim was ordered to follow Masetlo to an undisclosed location.
She unsuccessfully tried to escape but injured herself in the process.
“He then took out a knife and threatened her to the point that she gave in and walked with him. The complainant only knew the accused by sight as one of the gang members at the Ipelegeng location.
“Along the way, she saw people sitting outside in a yard and she managed to run and ask for help. He followed her and threatened some of the men who were reprimanding him,” said Mamothame.
He assaulted the teenager in full sight and told the men that she was the mother of his children.
The victim was then taken to a house where he repeatedly raped her and only allowed her to leave in the morning after she promised to come back.
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State prosecutor Mpho Sephapo argued that the victim was a pregnant minor and urged the court to not deviate from the minimum sentence of life imprisonment.
Magistrate Patricia Rangwako echoed Sephapo’s sentiments and emphasised that women and children have a right to free movement, without fearing for their lives.
Meanwhile, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari and provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Sello Kwena, lauded Sephapo, Warrant Officer Tello Hlatswayo from the South African Police Service for securing the arrest.
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