Pretoria- A Limpopo man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of raping a five-year old girl.
The Naphuno Regional Court outside Tzaneen on Friday sentenced Masilo Phillip Maenetja to life imprisonment for raping a five year old in Lephephane, Maake almost three years ago. He was also handed a five-year jail term for kidnapping.
According to Limpopo police, the 28-year-old grabbed the girl from the gate of her home and threatened her before forcefully dragging her to his house where he raped her for the duration of the night.
After her release, the child reported her ordeal and a case was opened with the police. Following a swift investigation the rapist was arrested.
Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Benny Ntlemeza has praised the police for the successful conviction.
“We appreciate the work done by the court and our dedicated investigating officer. A life sentence and five years is the kind of sentence we strive for as police on cases of this nature and we want to acknowledge the job done by our detective.
“She deserves a pat in the back for pulling out all stops to achieve this hefty sentence,” said Ntlemeza.
Farm attacks
Meanwhile , Limpopo police have launched an investigation following the suspected murder of a Merebank farmer and his wife in Zanzibar just outside Lephalale.
Family members of the couple contacted the police after they failed to make contact their parents aged 69 and 66.
Police were dispatched to house were they discovered the couple’s bodies.
“The motive for the killing is not yet known, however, investigations have already started in earnest and some of the neighbours and family members have already been interviewed,” explained Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi.
Anyone with information can call the SAPS Crime Stop anonymously on 08600 10111 or the Crime Line SMS number 32211
In a separate incident, a Deepark farmer was assaulted over the course of the weekend.
Two suspects, of which one was armed with a firearm and the other a knife, allegedly attacked a 68 year old farmer and his wife while they were asleep and demanded money.
The suspects allegedly tortured the farmer with a hot iron rod after he refused to give in to their demands.
The elderly man finally relented and the suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of money. The farmer was treated in hospital and discharged.
The two suspects are believed to have robbed two shops in Bolobedu earlier in the day. - SAnews.gov.za
