Accused sentenced to life imprisonment for rape of minor girl
MAKURUNG – A 40 year-old accused, Kgaogelo Lekgau has been sentenced to life imprisonment for rape of a 12 year-old girl in Makurung Village, Ga-Mphahlele outside Lebowakgomo by the Thabamoopo Regional Court after finalization of the case on Friday, 24 May.
The court heard that on Sunday, 20 December 2020 at about 20:20, the 12 year-old victim was going home from a mall and her mother requested the suspect to travel with her as it was late.
Along the way to Makurung Village, the accused threatened the minor victim and dragged her to the bushes, where he raped her.
The victim alerted her mother upon arrival and police were notified of the incident. Lebowakgomo South African Police Service (SAPS) opened a case f rape.
The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit was activated and Sergeant Makopo Magaila was tasked to investigate the case further.
The suspect was arrested on Thursday, 31 December 2020 at Makurung Village. Through Sergeant Makopo Magaila’s hard work and thorough investigation, the accused was denied bail but was later granted that of R3000 by the court.
The accused was found guilty on Tuesday, 14 November 2023 and he was behind bars since then until on Friday, 24 May when he was sentenced.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment on count 1 of rape. The Provincial Commissioner of South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe welcomed the sentence meted out against the accused by the court.
