Justice served: The Seshego Magistrate’s Court sentenced a man to life imprisonment for abducting and raping a young girl in a village near Polokwane. Picture credit: Timesless News
By Montsho Matlala
Polokwane: A 44-year-old man who abducted and raped a minor girl at a village outside Polokwane has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Seshego Magistrate’s Court.
The court heard that Poulis Ngoepe spotted the child at night while she was fetching water outside her family home in Ga-Ramoshoana village.
He followed her, covered her mouth with his hand, and dragged her to his residence.
There, he repeatedly raped her while threatening to kill her if she told anyone about what he described as “their love affair.”
The next day, Ngoepe released the girl but warned her to remain silent. However, she confided in her grandmother, who immediately reported the matter to Matlala Police. The case was transferred to the Seshego Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for further investigation.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said:
“The meticulous investigation by Sergeant Victor Mokhudu led to the accused being arrested and charged with rape. Although he was released on bail, he was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment.”
Acting Provincial Police Commissioner Major General Jan Scheepers welcomed the ruling.
“The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence and the commitment of the justice system to protecting vulnerable members of our society,” he said.
The victim’s family expressed relief, saying the rapist would “rot in jail.”
