The Free State High Court has sentenced a 24-year-old man from Ha Chabong Village in QwaQwa to two life terms after he was convicted of the rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl from Kestell.
Judge Ilse van Rhyn sentenced Kgotso William Mofokeng for the rape and murder of Tshepang Mosikili that took place on September 18, 2021.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said Mosikili and her friend were going to a nearby shop when they met Mofokeng who asked them to assist him carry his goods to his house and they agreed.
“Along the way Mosikili’s friend requested that they leave Mofokeng so that they can go to the shop,” said Shuping in a statement.
“She (the friend) decided to leave them but Mosikili proceeded alone with Mofokeng and that was the last time Mosikili was seen alive,” he said.
Mofokeng was arrested two days later and he made a confession and pointed the police to where the body of Moskili was found.
The police also found the food and clothes of Mofokeng not far from where the body was found.
In aggravation of sentence, state prosecutor Advocate Tholoana Sekhonyana presented a victim impact statement facilitated by Ntebo Tsatsanyane in which the mother of the deceased stated that they were still in disbelief and that the death of Mosikili had affected her twin brother who is no longer performing well at school.
“The accused lured a seven-year-old girl with the intention of raping and killing her and the court must not deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence to indicate to the public that they will deal with perpetrators of violence against children harshly,” said Sekhonyana.
Added the prosecutor: “Rape and murder are serious offences and are even worse when they are perpetrated against a defenceless minor and the courts must send a strong message that they will not be tolerated.”
Judge van Rhyn then sentenced Mofokeng to two life terms for rape and murder. – Staff Reporter