A 24-year-old man has been sentenced to ten years in prison for raping an 18-year-old girl in Groblersdal.
The rape occurred in 2020, according to Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, a Limpopo police spokesperson.
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“The trial court heard that the victim, on July 6, 2020, at about 6.30 pm, was walking along the R579 when an unknown man grabbed her from behind and threatened to stab her with a knife,” said Ledwaba.
The perpetrator then pulled the helpless teenager to an abandoned house and raped her.
“It was further heard that the accused fell asleep, and the victim grabbed the knife and stabbed him. That is how she managed to escape,” said Ledwaba.
The distraught and naked woman fled to a nearby house for assistance, which led police to arrive on the scene.
“The suspect was arrested shortly after the incident and was positively linked with the rape ordeal through DNA,” he said.
“The case was thoroughly investigated by Sergeant Alfred Mphahlele attached to the Groblersdal family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit.”
After the sentencing, Major General Jan Scheepers, the acting provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, stated that the “lengthy sentence” was welcome and gave a clear message that perpetrators of gender-based violence “will be dealt with harshly and without compromise.”
