Ntokozo Zikhali was sentenced to life in prison by the Pretoria High Court in Benoni for raping a nine-year-old girl in 2021.
Zikhali, 31, was acquitted last week of the kidnapping, rape, murder, and mutilation of 4-year-old Bokgabo Poo in October of last year.
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According to Lumka Mahanjana, a Gauteng NPA spokesperson, the girl was playing with her pals in the park when Zikhali abducted her before raping her near a dam.
“Zikhali was linked to this offence through DNA evidence. In court he pleaded guilty to the charges; however, asked the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence.
“The prosecutor, Advocate Eric Sihlangu, read to the record the Victim Impact Statement prepared by the social worker, that the child suffered as a result of what Zikhali did, and that she was unable to cope at school, but has since received counselling.”
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When Bokgabo was killed, Zikhali was on bail for the rape of the 9-year-old.
After she disappeared from Masoleng Park in Wattville in October 2022, he was accused with her kidnapping and murder, as well as violating a corpse and defeating the ends of justice.
The State’s evidence, which included video footage of the accused walking with the 4-year-old and Zikhali’s confession, was rejected by the court.
