Polokwane – A 26-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Thohoyandou Regional Court on Wednesday after being convicted of rape and murder of a teenage girl in Giyani on Christmas day of 2020.
According to South African Police Service Spokesperson, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo the suspect bought her chips and took her to a liquor establishment before raping and murdering 15-year-old girl.
“The trial court found that the accused met the 15 year-old victim, who knew him when she came with friends at Mavalani village under Giyani policing area to celebrate Christmas day.
“He then offered to buy her chips but later when they returned to their place of residence in Bon’wani village, the accused followed them and grabbed the victim.
“He then forced her to a liquor establishment where he offered to buy her liquor. The victim declined and pleaded with the man to let her go but he refused and instead forcibly took her to the nearby bushes at knifepoint, while reminding her that he bought her the chips earlier.
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“On arrival, the accused raped the defenceless girl and thereafter strangled her. He then dumped the body in a dam and put a huge rock on top in an attempt to cover the heinous crime,” Mojapelo said in a statement.
Mojapelo added that the body was found by a fisherman who immediately alerted the police.
A detective, Constable Emmanuel Fulufhelo Nndwambi , was assigned to investigate the matter further and positively linked the suspect with the case.
Mojapelo added that the suspect was arrested in Protea Glen.
“Novice Mathebula was traced and arrested in Protea Glen south of Soweto in Gauteng province with assistance of the Johannesburg Metro police.
“He appeared in court on several occasions in an attempt to get bail but the investigating officer was able to oppose bail until he was ultimately sentenced today.”
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Compiled by Junaid Benjamin
