THREE SENTENCED TO ONE LIFE TERM AND 53 YEARS FOR MOLESTING A MINOR
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The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the sentencing to one life term and 38 years imprisonment of Elias Mosopi (25)and George Oupa (28) from Majakaneng in Brits for multiple crimes by the Pretoria High Court. Another accomplice Michael Vusimuzi Fokofoke (25) was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
In the early hours of 25 December 2019,the three robbed complainants of their possessions sush as cell phones and money,after attending a festival in Lethlabile. One of the victims was a 14 year old girl, who was with her boyfriend. On their way home they decided to sit by the side of the road because the minor was not feeling well when they were approached by two men who robbed the boyfriend of his clothing items and ordered him to rape the girlfriend. When they realised he was pretending to rape her, they assaulted him and proceeded to rape the minor while taking turns. After the ordeal, the minor ran and met with the boyfriend who was with the police and drove together to the scene of the incident, where some if her clothes were found.
The Prosecutor,Adv Salome Scheepers asked the court to impose the minimum prescribed sentence for each count because the accused showed no remorse for the offences they committed. Mosopi and Tlhabano still maintained they did not rape the minor girl, even though they were linked to the offence by DNA evidence. The NPA is committed to ensuring that all crimes including Gender Based Violence are prosecuted and perpetrators are sentenced.
The trio were also found unfit to possess firearms, Mosopi and Tlhabano were convicted of rape, compelled rape,robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, common robbery and assault with grievous bodily harm. The three were arrested on the same day and have been in Custody since after the state successfully opposed bail.
