Man from Galeshewe receives life sentence for raping 11-year-old girl

A 34-year-old man from Galeshewe has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Kimberley Regional Court for the rape of an 11-year-old girl.

A 34-year-old man from Galeshewe has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Kimberley Regional Court after being found guilty of raping an 11-year-old girl.

SAPS spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said the girl was sleeping at the time of the incident on 1 May 2022.

“In the early hours of the morning, the 11-year-old girl was awakened in her bedroom when she felt the defendant touching her inappropriately. He dragged her into his bed and raped her. She was too afraid to report the incident,” Ehlers said.

“The following evening, May 2, 2022, the defendant took her to his bed and raped her again.”

Ehlers added that the child told his mother about the incidents, who in turn reported the matter to the police.

“The defendant was arrested the same day and remained in custody until his sentencing. He was found guilty of two counts of rape and sentenced to life imprisonment on both counts on July 3.”

Ehlers said the defendant had also been declared unfit to own a firearm.

“His name will be added to the National Sex Offender Registry.”

Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola praised Investigating Officer Detective Warrant Officer Tanya Serfontein of the Domestic Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in Galeshewe.

“Their thorough investigation led to a successful conviction and a heavy sentence imposed by the court.”

Otola said child protection remains a priority for the SAPS.