Mr Tshediso Elias Lefera (20) pleaded guilty to an attempted rape case and was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by the Ladybrand Regional Court this week.
Sergeant Martin Xuma from the police said it was on Monday morning the 13 August 2012 when a ten-year-old girl from Manyatseng near Ladybrand was on her way to school and a local woman noticed that she was walking awkwardly.
She asked her what was wrong but the child could not tell her. As a mother herself she took the child to a local clinic for observation. It was suspected that the ten-year-old might have been raped and the police were summoned to the scene.
The ten-year-old victim who was staying with her aunt as she is an orphan, was asked what had happened but she could not talk until her class teacher came and she managed to explain to her teacher.
It is alleged that the victim was raped on the 11 August 2012 during the night while she was asleep. The victim was sharing a bed with two other boys and her cousin who was 20 years of age as they were staying together. The 20-year-old allegedly raped the ten-year-old victim while the other younger boys were asleep.
Detective Warrant Officer Mokete Nqai from Ladybrand FCS (Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit) was assigned to the case. During the investigation and the doctor’s report it was discovered that no actual penetration took place but the accused tried to rape the victim.
During the trial the accused pleaded guilty to attempted rape and he was sentenced to five years’ for attempted rape under the Sexual Offences Act 32 of 2007 Section 55.
Acting Cluster Commander Lt. Col Diepo Nthako said more should be done in terms of protecting our children against rapist and criminals and further applauded the investigating officer for ensuring that the accused was convicted.
“LET US UNITE AND SQUEEZE CRIME TO ZERO”.
This police report is issued by LADYBRAND Corporate Communication
