By Jonk wa Mashamba
Editor-In-Chief
news@alexreporter.co.za
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence handed down by the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court to a former South African National Defence Force (SANDF) official Fani Pehlelolo Segole (54), of life imprisonment.
Segole raped a 11-year-old girl.
He was staying at Thaba Tshwane where the mother of the minor child was renting a place to stay.
On 12 March 2018, while the minor was conversing with her mother, she informed her that Segole had raped her earlier that year.
Lumka Mahanjana:
NPA Regional Spokesperson said the mother reported the matter to the police and Segole was arrested.
Mahanjana said during the trial, Segole pleaded not guilty to the charge, however the child’s testimony during the trial was accepted to be true and credible.
“She further testified that the incident severely affected her and that she no longer trusts men,” Mahanjana said.
Prosecutor Annalizer Stiles asked the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment because, not only was Segole seen as a leader in the community, but the children looked up to him as a father figure and he abused that relationship.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Sibongile Mzinyathi applauded the good work done by the investigating team of the South African Police Service (SAPS) that led to the conviction and sentence.
He said he hoped the sentence would send a strong message that crimes of Gender-Based Violence, especially against children will not be tolerated and will be prioritised for prosecution.
