By Mashamba Media
news@alexreporter.co.za
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed a twenty-five years (25) imprisonment sentence, passed against a male accused, Aphane Fenkana Coccen aged 58, by the Polokwane High Court, on Thursday 21 November 2024.
The court heard that the madala raped victims aged between 12 and 23 during 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively at Ga Matlala a Lehwelere and Mpheleng, Dennilton, Groblersdal and Marble Hall policing areas under Sekhukhune district .
During the court proceedings, it was found that in one of the incidents, which occurred at Kgaphamadi village on 2012/09/02 at about 12:00, the accused met four young girls coming from the farms at Dennilton policing area.
He threatened them with a firearm, took them to a bushy terrain, and instructed them to undress themselves.
He raped all of the victims, who were between the ages of 12, 14, 15, and 18. After the ordeal, he left them at the scene and fled on foot.
The victims reported the incident to their families, and cases were registered at the police stations. The accused was successfully traced, arrested and positively linked with the incidents.
The dockets were then transferred to Groblersdal Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit.
Detective Warrant Officer Lekgala Victoria Phala investigated the matters. Through her meticulous investigations, the rapist was kept in custody until he was sentenced.
The Polokwane High sentenced him as follows:
Count 1,2and 7 rape and kidnapping withdrawn
* Count 3 rape: sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for
* count 4 rape: sentenced to10 years imprisonment
* Count 5 rape: sentenced to 10 years imprisonment imprisonment
* count 6 rape: sentenced to 25 years imprisonment
* Count 8,9,10&11 rape: 25 Years imprisonment which will run concurrently with all the counts sentenced to combined 70 years imprisonment.
The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently. The total years imprisonment is 125 years
The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, appreciates efforts that members of the Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in the province continue to display.
“We saw many rape accused being prosecuted, and we really commend our members for ensuring that these criminals are removed within our societies. Everyone’s involvement and contribution in the investigation of these cases which resulted in the successful outcome is highly appreciated,” said Hadebe.
