The Botshabelo Regional Court this week slapped a 40-year-old man who was already serving two life terms with another life imprisonment after he was convicted of raping a four-year-old boy three years ago.
Magistrate Motshidisi Khuduga sentenced Lazarus Ntipa Nkoto for the brutal incident that happened on February 17, 2019.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said on the day of the incident, Nkoto was sitting outside a local tavern when he saw the victim who was staying opposite the tavern getting out of the yard.
“He approached the complainant and forced him into a toilet and raped him,” said Shuping in a statement.
“The complainant’s mother caught Nkoto in the act and the police were called and he was arrested,” he added.
DNA samples were then taken from Nkoto and he was linked to two more cases of rape in Bloemfontein.
The cases were tried in the Free State High Court earlier this year and Nkoto was sentenced to two life terms.
The Botshabelo case was heard separately.
In court, Nkoto, a Lesotho national, denied being involved in the rape of the complainant even after he was linked to the crime by DNA.
In aggravation, state prosecutor Patrick Koloane presented a victim impact statement facilitated by Melissa Mphulanyane in which the complainant’s mother said the incident had changed the child’s life because he has nightmares and his performance at school has dropped.
Koloane described Nkoto as a person who lacks remorse because he failed to take the court into his confidence and denied being involved in the rape of the complainant.
“The accused failed to show remorse because he denied raping the complainant despite overwhelming evidence against him.
“He was caught in the act by the complainant’s mother and the DNA samples linked him to the crime, but despite all these, he still denied being involved in the crime and this is a clear indication of lack of remorse,” said Koloane.
“The court should impose the minimum sentence as prescribed by law because he did not advance any compelling and substantial circumstances for the imposition of a lesser sentence.”
Magistrate Khuduga concurred with the prosecutor that the only appropriate sentence she could impose was life imprisonment.
She further instructed that Nkoto’s name be included in the National Register for Sex Offenders.
She also declared him unfit to possess a firearm. – Staff Reporter