A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after he was found guilty for raping a minor in 2017.
On Monday, February 3 the 21-year-old man from Bronkhorspruit appeared in Witbank Regional Court for raping a 14-year-old where he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
The accused had a relationship with the victim’s friend when the incident happened.
In October 2017, the victim was sitting with her other friends when the accused arrived with his friend in Thubelihle at Nkangala District.
Upon realizing that his girlfriend was not part of the gathering, he lured the victim to a nearby bush where he forcefully raped her.
The victim reported the ordeal to her parents and criminal proceedings were instituted against the accused.
In court, the accused denied all the allegations leveled against him and maintained his innocence.
The Regional Court Prosecutor, Maureen Nkosi presented evidence of the victim, first report (mother) and the evidence of a medical expert.
Victim Impact Report and a pre-sentence report was also submitted to the court.
The court accepted the evidence and the accused was found guilty as charged.
In aggravation of sentence, the state submitted that the accused did not show remorse for his actions as he evaded arrest for two years after he committed the offence and was found in his hideout at Kabokweni.
The court sentenced the accused to life imprisonment as prescribed by the minimum sentences act for rape of a minor.
The NPA condemns violence against women and children.
