The Lichtenburg Regional Court sentenced Eshethu Desta Defere (26), to life imprisonment for raping a 12-year-old minor. Defere, who is an Ethiopian national, confirmed to be illegal in the country, was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. His conviction emanates from an incident that occurred in June 2021, at an informal settlement known as Scotland, in Coligny, where he owned a shop. The complainant stayed with her family in the same area, and she was sent to Defere’s shop regularly 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 was alone at the time, dragged her to a shack behind the shop, and proceeded to rape her. The matter was reported to the police, and the accused was arrested three days later and stayed behind bars until the completion of the trial.
In aggravation of sentence, the 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. 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.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, together with the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded all role players for their collaboration in bringing the perpetrator to book.
