The Mhala Regional Court has sentenced a 43-year-old man to two life sentences for raping a 12-year-old girl in 2022.The court heard how the accused raped the victim at Marite on two occasions in January 2022. The court ordered that the two life sentences run concurrently.

The accused’s name will also be entered into the register of Sexual Offenders and never again will he ever work with children in his life.

The girl’s mother was alerted about a continues trauma that her daughter was going through when she was away at work. She then confronted her daughter who confirmed that indeed the accused raped her at his house between 18 and 19 January 2022 as he stays not far from the victim’s residence.

A case with two counts of rape was opened and the Acornhoek Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit was assigned to investigate, leading to his arrest and trial, subsequently resulting in the conviction as well sentencing of the accused.

Meanwhile an 87-year-old man was sentenced by the same court (Mhala Regional Court) on 04 March 2024 for attempted murder.

The court heard that on 01 August 2023 the mother of a 13-year-old boy was at work when she received a call that her son was attacked by his grandfather at Marite Trust near Hazyview.

Upon arrival, she learned that her father had shot at her son on his lower back but the child was taken to a nearby hospital. The man further informed her that his grandchild was very disrespectful hence he shot him.

When Police arrived at the scene, they immediately arrested him , where about 87 live ammunition were found in the house. The suspect was brought to court and went on trial then got convicted hence he was sentenced to 05 years imprisonment.

The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm. The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has noted with much appreciation the work done by the man and women in blue.

She further commended the investigation team, the Prosecution team, and the Judiciary as they worked together which resulted in the sentencing of the accused persons who perpetuated crimes against children. “We hope that the sentences will serve as a deterrence to perpetrators of crime against the minors, ” said the General.