The Piet Retief Regional Court sentenced Lindokuhle Madonsela from New Stand in Piet Retief to life imprisonment for raping a minor.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Madonsela was initially charged with five other minors but they were later acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
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In November 2017, the victim was walking in Driefontein with her three friends when they were chased by a group of men.
Her friends managed to outrun them but she was caught and taken to a secluded area where she was gang raped.
The incident was reported to the police the next day and the victim was only able to identify Madonsela. He was subsequently arrested.
Madonsela did not dispute that he had sexual intercourse but claimed that they were in a romantic relationship. He further denied that he was part of the group who gang raped her.
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A DNA report linking Madonsela with the offence was presented. The Regional Court Prosecutor, Adv Marlin Cairncross, argued that the victim’s identification of Madonsela as one of the assailants was trustworthy and credible.
“The court rejected Madonsela’s version and accepted the state’s submission in particular that gang rape is one of the worst forms of rape and the traumatic effect the victim had in her life.” Madonsela was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape.
