In the Kathu Regional Court, three men have been sentenced to harsh prison terms for the rape and kidnapping of an 11-year-old girl that occurred on June 2, 2013. The victim was accosted by the three accused at a tuckshop in Kuruman and was subjected to multiple rapes behind the premises and at a nearby stadium.
The suspects, Emmanuel Modise (25), Ditebogo Tshegodikae (31), and Patrick Gaebetse (31), fled the scene but were arrested between June 2020 and October 2021 after a thorough investigation. They remained in custody until their sentencing.
The accused were sentenced as follows:
- Emmanuel Modise (25) - 22 years' imprisonment for rape and 7 years' imprisonment for kidnapping
- Ditebogo Tshegodikae (31) - 22 years' imprisonment for rape and 7 years' imprisonment for kidnapping
- Patrick Gaebetse (31) - an effective 20 years' imprisonment for rape and kidnapping
The investigation was led by Detective Sergeant Gwyneth Paulsen of the Provincial Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations Unit, whose diligent work secured the harsh sentencing for the perpetrators of this heinous crime.
Source SAPS
