The Lichtenburg Magistrate's Court has handed a tuck shop owner a life sentence for raping a 12-year-old customer in the North West.
The accused, Eshethu Desta Defere, an Ethiopian national living in South Africa illegally, dragged the child from his shop into a shack and raped her in June 2021.
Defere, 26, who was charged with statutory rape, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Tuesday, said North West National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Henry Mamothame.
"Defere, an Ethiopian national confirmed to be illegal in the country, was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. His conviction emanates from an incident in June 2021 at an informal settlement known as Scotland, in Coligny, where he owned a shop," said Mamothame.
The victim, who cannot be named, lived with her family in the same area as Defere. She was regularly sent to Defere's shop to buy items.
"In court, the complainant testified that on the day of the incident, she went to the shop to buy some items and, upon arrival, Defere, who was alone at the time, dragged her to a shack behind the shop and proceeded to rape her," added Mamothame.
The rape was reported to the police, and Defere was arrested three days later. He remained in custody for the duration of the trial.
State prosecutor Neo Sedumedi urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment as there were no compelling circumstances to consider, Mamothame said.
"Magistrate Boitumelo Chulu agreed with the state and remarked on the responsibility the court has in protecting the victims and members of society from such violent acts, particularly women and children," concluded Mamothame.
