24-05-2025
Suspect receives life imprisonment for raping minor
A suspect was sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a mentally challenged 15-year-old minor.
The 42-year-old Papi Mokereretla was sentenced by the Bothaville Magistrate's Court.
According to a police statement, Mokereretla lured the victim under the pretext of buying electricity while she was playing at a neighbour's house where he also resided.
The victim was instructed to meet Mokereretla at a shop after jumping a back fence.
'As they walked, the complainant expressed unfamiliarity with the route, but Mokereretla insisted they continue.'
'The complainant was then led to a secluded area at the end of the location with trees and a ditch. The suspect forced her into the ditch, undressed her and proceeded to rape her,' read the police statement.
Feeling scared and traumatised, the victim kept to herself and did not confide in her family. However, the following day at school, she confided in a friend who informed the principal about the incident.
A case was opened with the Bothaville SAPS, leading to initial investigations. A multi-disciplinary team, including Sergeant Mmila Raleting from Welkom Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, gathered evidence and the State, led by Prosecutor T. Lebitsa, presented a strong case that convicted Mokereretla.
'This conviction sends a clear message that crimes against vulnerable individuals, particularly children and those with disabilities, will be met with the full might of the law,' said SAPS.
A man was sentenced to six years for sexually grooming his stepdaughter. The 38-year-old Bethlehem stepfather pleaded guilty to sexual grooming at the Bethlehem Magistrate's Court.
According to a police statement, the victim's stepfather engaged in sexual grooming of the 14-year-old victim since she was 12 years old, between 2021 and 2023, at their residence in Bethlehem.
Additionally, the suspect would allegedly force the victim to watch pornographic material.
'The 14-year-old victim experienced a change in behavior and was referred to a psychologist, where she disclosed the abuse, leading to the registration of a case while the suspect was in the United States of America,' read the police statement.
In the six years imprisonment handed down to him, half of the sentence was suspended for five years.
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