POTCHEFSTROOM – The hard work by members at various Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units (FCS) in North West paid off when four accused were found guilty and sentenced recently for rape.

In the first incident on Saturday, 18 August 2007, a 30-year-old victim was on her way home after attending a night vigil and she was accompanied by three friends. They ran into different directions after being pelted with stones, whilst walking in Extension 4, Boitmelong Location outside of Bloemhof. Resultantly, the victim was chased by one of the suspects who grabbed her and raped her. The accused was joined by two other suspects, who also took turns in raping the victim. The latter was further stabbed on the head with a beer bottle and ultimately given R20 after the ordeal. During investigation, blood samples were found on the pants of one of the suspects; Tumelo Samuel Sehau, who was 16 years old then. He was eventually linked to the crime. Sehau, now 30, was found guilty by the Bloemhof Magistrates’ Court and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000).

In a second incident on Sunday, 23 November 2014, in Extension 9, Khuma Location, a 17-year-old woman and her friend were on their way home during the early hours of the morning, when approached by three men of which one was known to the victim. It was reported that the victim and her friend ran away, but the former fell down. She was raped by two men after threatening her with a knife. After the incident, the victim called for help at a nearby house. The accused; Xobani Hashe (23) and Lebogang Xhaya (26) were arrested the following day. They were both found guilty by the Orkney Magistrates’ Court and sentenced as follows:

• Xobani Hashe: 20 years imprisonment

• Lebogang Xhaya: Life imprisonment.

Both accused were declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000).

In the last incident on Tuesday, 2 October 2018, in Extension 4, Ipelegeng Location, Schweizer-Reneke, a 7-year-old boy was playing at a neighbour’s house when he was called by a 16-year-old man. The boy was taken to a back room where he was raped. He was found crying by his nephew, who brought the ordeal to the attention of the victim’s mother. The incident was then reported to the police. The suspect (now 18-years-old) was found guilty of rape by the Schweizer-Reneke Magistrates’ Court and sentenced to three years imprisonment.

The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the sentences and thanked the Investigating officers and prosecution for working tirelessly to ensure that the perpetrators do their time in jail.

Source: South African Police Service