LIMPOPO – According to statement issued by Constable Maphure Manamela, Gabadela Shadrack Shikwambana (53), from Juliesburg Rhulani village outside Maake, was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Lenyenye Regional Court for the rape of his 17-year-old niece in 2016.
This was after the suspect made sexual advances towards her and she rubbed it off thinking it was a joke. On 30 September The he broke a window to gain access to the house where the victim was sleeping and raped her at knife point, said
The suspect was immediately arrested and a team of Investigators from Tzaneen Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit(FCS) worked tirelessly on the case until the accused was ultimately convicted.
Meanwhile on 23 July, in the same court 23-year-old Shane Komane was sentenced to an tn years imprisonment without an option of a fine for rape that took place at Finale Village around Hoedspruit policing area in 2016.
On 12 march at about 23:00 in the evening Komane attacked a 19-year-old woman who was allegedly returning from late entertainment. The terrified woman ran to the nearby house to seek help but he followed her and threatened the owner with a knife demanding for her release. Afterwards, he then dragged the helpless woman to the bushes at knife point, assaulted and repeatedly raped her.
Soon after the case was reported to the Police, the rapist was tracked down through intensive investigations and was kept in custody until he was sentenced.
Komane was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and never to work with children.
“I hope that these sentences will bring a relief to both victims and their families knowing that their attackers will no longer pose a threat to them and the society ,” concluded General Ledwaba.
