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Media Statement POLOKWANE – On Monday 11 March 2024, the Modimolle Regional Court convicted and sentenced a 34-year-old male accused, Hendrick Shlangoma Maluleke for the rape of a 15-year-old girl which happened on the 01 May 2022 at about 03:45. The Court heard that the victim was walking alone at Bela-Bela, Extension 5 in Mandela village when she came across the accused who grabbed her by force and threatened her with a knife. The Court found that the accused forcefully took the victim to a secluded place and subsequently raped her before fleeing the scene on foot. The victim saw a motor vehicle passing by and she asked for assistance. The motor vehicle was traveling with three males who took the victim back to the scene to collect her shoes. Upon arrival, they found the accused and immediately apprehended him and he was taken to Bela-Bela police station. Police opened a rape case against him and it was later transferred to Bela-Bela Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses (FCS) for further investigations. Sergeant Emily Mosima Mabena was assigned to investigate the matter and she managed to ensure that the accused was never granted bail. Through a DNA analysis the accused was positively linked the with the rape incident. During the Court proceedings the accused pleaded guilty for the offense and was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment on Monday 11 March 2024 by Modimolle Regional Court. The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and his name will be recorded in the Sexual Offenses Register. Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe applauded Modimolle Regional Court for the removal of the accused from the society and the outstanding investigative work that was executed by Sergeant Mabena in securing the conviction. Ends
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