By Montsho Matlala
Dennilton: Residents of Dennilton outside Groblersdal have expressed relief and joy following the life sentencing of a man by the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane on Tuesday for raping a minor.
The Culprit conducted this inhuman act just after he spent the day dancing joyously on his wedding day with the victim’s aunt more than a year ago. His name remains withheld to protect the victim.
But his shocking misdemeanour cost him the opportunity to complete the celebration rituals and merriment at his parental family home the following day on Christmas Eve.
Community Leader and Member of the Bolsheviks Party’s in Sekhukhune District Municipality, Seun Mogotji insisted that the 45 year-old man from Taereng village be arrested instead of lavishing the second part of his wedding on Christmas Eve 24 December 2023 has welcomed the life imprisonment.
“I am glad he is slapped life sentence and blacklisted. After I was informed he had raped the child of his sister’s wife after they enjoyed the first part of his wedding celebration I pleaded with police to arrest him. Some police officers wanted him to complete the second part of his wedding before they could arrest him but I said no ways a big no and even contacted the office of Limpopo provincial police commissioner.
“Police ultimately put him in detention and the second part of his wedding continued in his absence,” explained Mogotji.
Vicky Leutle, a resident of Dennilton said, “What a shame, this man is a monster that must rot in jail. He is so inhuman to commit rape on his wedding day on a child who is a daughter of his wife’s elder sister. This is a taboo, very unthinkable.”
Several villagers who preferred to remain anonymous spoke of the man as heartless womaniser mine worker.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the nine year-old victim, her mother, younger sibling and two aunts were part of the bride’s family who were offered a room at the bride’s home to sleep after the day’s celebrations.
“While they were fast asleep, the accused sneaked into the room and carried the child to an unoccupied bedroom where he reportedly raped her. The child screamed for help and triggered panic for the accused to flee the scene.
“The child’s mother then found her naked and immediately reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest at his work place in Witbank Mpumalanga,” said NPA Provincial Spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzangi.
“Aligning with the prosecution the court sentenced the accused to life imprisonment. He was declared unfit to poses a firearm,” added Lieutenant-General Malabi-Dzangi.
The Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner Thembi Hadebe, has also welcomed the life sentence.
“Our Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) will continue with their good work to prevent crimes of this nature and bring perpetrators to justice,” Hadebe said.
