![Man Sentenced To Life Imprisonment For Raping 5-Year-Old Girl](https://surgezirc.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Picture-Ron-Lach-Pexels.webp)
A 23-year-old man identified as Jankie Jan Thulare has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Mokopane Regional Court for the rape of a five-year-old girl.
The incident occurred on April 29, 2017, at approximately 5:45 pm, when the victim was playing with other children at Thulare’s residence in Sodoma village, Waterberg District.
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According to the court proceedings, Thulare forcefully took the victim outside onto the street, instructed her to undress, and proceeded to sexually assault her.
The victim’s mother became aware of the situation when she heard her daughter’s cries and immediately intervened.
She then informed the community, who assisted in reporting the incident to both the accused’s family and the police.
The victim was immediately taken to the nearest hospital for medical attention, as her mother observed signs of distress.
The case was initially reported to the SAPS Gilead and subsequently transferred to the Mokopane Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) for further investigation.
Thulare was successfully located and apprehended on February 16, 2022, following which Sergeant Lesetja Frans Langa was assigned to investigate the case.
Langa effectively opposed bail for the accused, leading to his conviction for rape and subsequent life imprisonment sentence.
In addition to the life imprisonment, the court also declared Thulare unfit to possess a firearm and ordered that his name be included in the National Register for Sexual Offenders. Furthermore, he is deemed unsuitable to work with children.
Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the case.