The 19-year-old Tshiamo Godfrey Mmale has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a 13-year-old girl.

NPA spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame, said Mmale was sentenced to a further 12 months' imprisonment for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. The court ordered for the sentences to run concurrently.

Mmale’s conviction emanates from an incident that occurred on 16 October 2011 at Dinokana village, near Zeerust, whereby the complainant got permission from her mother to go and do her hair. On her way back, she was confronted by Mmale, who forcefully dragged her to his place and assaulted her with open hands. On arrival at his place, he threatened her with a knife and proceeded to rape her before letting her go.

Church Street in Zeerust. Photo: Wikipedia

Mmale was arrested the following day, but the matter was provisionally struck off the roll to await the DNA test results, as he denied having any sexual intercourse with the complainant. The matter was re-enrolled in November 2015 after the DNA test results came back positive, at which point the accused changed his version of the story, saying he had consensual sexual intercourse with her.

In aggravation of the sentence, the state prosecutor, Botsang Phawe, indicated to the court the fact that the complainant recalls the events of the traumatic day four years after they unfolded, indicates that the traumatic experience will remain with her forever. He urged the court to not deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment, as there were no compelling circumstances to do so. 

Magistrate Stefan du Toit agreed with the state and imposed a sentence that fits the offence.

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