A 24-year-old man from the North West has been sentenced in the Schweizer-Reneke Regional Court to 15 years’ direct imprisonment for rape. 

Thabo Thabang Mongalane was found guilty of the rape that took place on October 31, 2020, when he and his friends were planning an outing to Wentzel Dam. 

The court heard the group were all coming from a funeral and decided to meet at the Motor Sports ground in Loelegeng location. 

While waiting for the other friends, who had gone home to change their clothes after the funeral, Mongalane was left with the 16-year-old girl in the house. The court heard Mongalane propose they take photos on his phone. After they were done taking pictures, he further suggested that they leave and wait for their friends in Phakedi Street next to the Motor Sports ground. 

When the duo arrived at the location, Mongalane entered a yard, and the teenager followed but stood outside the house. He invited her inside the house, but she refused to enter. 

He then forcefully dragged her, pushed her against the wall, and tried to kiss her by force.

The teenager was pushed into the house, Mongalane closed the door, and placed the couch behind it. He overpowered her and then raped her. 

After the rape, Mongalane told his victim she could not leave the house crying. Once they left the house and got onto the street, they went in different directions. 

The court heard the teenager was crying while walking and met with her boyfriend to whom she disclosed the crime to. 

Mongalane pleaded not guilty to the charge against him. However, the state prosecutor argued that he planned the crime and stated the rape of children is on the rise and perpetrators needed to be punished harshly. He urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. 

The court sentenced Mongalane to 15 years’ imprisonment and ordered his name to be included in the National Register for Sexual Offenders. He was further declared unfit to possess a firearm. 

Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, welcomed the sentence imposed. She emphasised that the outcome serves as a significant deterrent to perpetrators of gender-based violence. 

robin.francke@iol.co.za

IOL

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