Northern Cape man sentenced to 25 years for raping woman in front of toddler
A Northern Cape man has been sentenced to 25 years for a heinous crime, raping a woman in front of her toddler, highlighting the urgent need for justice in cases of gender-based violence.
A 49-year-old man from the Northern Cape has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for raping a woman in her home in front of her young son. The crime occurred in Warrenton in 2018. Ernest Khoza was found guilty of rape, housebreaking with intent to rob, and robbery with aggravating circumstances. The court heard that Khoza and another man broke into the home, armed with guns, and held the occupants at gunpoint during the attack.
The woman was raped while her two-year-old child watched. Forensic evidence, including DNA, linked Khoza to the crimes. Khoza was sentenced to 15 years for housebreaking and robbery with aggravating circumstances, and 15 years for rape, with five years running concurrently. Khoza's name was entered into the National Sex Offenders Register, and he was declared unfit to own firearms.
The second accused, Thabang Molebedi, was found not guilty and discharged. The NPA expressed satisfaction with the conviction, stating that it provides justice and closure to the victim and her family.
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