The Mankweng Regional Court sentenced Louis Phineas Nonyana (39) to life imprisonment last Thursday after he was found guilty on two charges of rape of neighbours’ children committed in 2014.
According to Regional Spokesperson of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi the sentencing followed an incident in Mankweng when the accused called five children who were playing next to his homestead to assist him fixing his motor vehicle.
He later sent three of the children away, asking an 8 and 9-year-old to remain behind, according to Malabi-Dzhangi who added that Nonyana then lured the children into his house where he raped both on the sofa in his living room.
The arrest was made within days after the incident when a teacher at school noticed the two children behaving strangely, according to Malabi-Dzhangi. The parents were alerted and the children taken to hospital where it was confirmed that they had been penetrated.
Nonyana pleaded not guilty on both counts and denied the allegations against him. Malabi-Dzhangi indicated that the state had called both children, their parents as well as a medical doctor to testify in court.
In aggravation of sentence State Prosecutor Themba Mavundza submitted that the victim impact report for both children revealed that both were heavily affected by the ordeal. It was further revealed that they are no longer attending school due to the stigma associated with the incident, according to Malabi-Dzhangi.
Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, Ivy Thenga applauded the excellent work by the investigating team and others involved in securing the sentence.
Story: RC Myburgh
>>rc.observer@gmail.com
