The Tzaneen Family Violence and Child Protection Services Unit (FCS) secured another life sentence of imprisonment imposed by the Lenyenye Regional court in Limpopo. This is after the 39-year-old accused was convicted of kidnapping and rape of a 13-year-old girl in Lenyenye location. The incident took place under the Maake Policing area on 13 October 2022.
TRAUMATIC ORDEAL
On Sunday 22 September 2019, Lucas Madala Mokhubidu who was 36 years old at the time of the incident. He allegedly kidnapped a 13-year-old girl and locked her up inside his room.
Afterwards, the convict repeatedly raped the victim the whole night and later released her the next morning at about 05:00 on Monday 23 October 2019.
The minor went home and informed her grandmother about the ordeal who immediately reported the incident at Maake police station. A case of kidnapping and rape was opened and later transferred to Tzaneen FCS unit for further investigations.
Detective Sergeant Sharon Mavhungu was assigned to investigate the matter through her dedication and hard work. The suspect was apprehended a week after the incident on 02 October 2019.
Sergeant Mavhungu also managed to oppose bail and the suspect remained in police custody. She left no stone unturned with the investigations until his sentencing on Thursday 13 October 2022.
LIFE SENTENCE
The convict was handed 10 years imprisonment for kidnapping and one life-term imprisonment for the rape of a minor girl.
The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the sentence. She says it would also serve as a deterrence to other perpetrators of Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF)
