The Schweizer Reneke Regional Court in the North West Province sentenced Deon Neo Masetlo to life imprisonment for raping a 17-year-old pregnant girl and a further five years for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. He was declared unfit to possess a firearm and his name will be entered in the register of sexual offenders. 

Masetlo's conviction emanates from an incident that occurred on 20 July 2018 at the Ipelegeng location where he came across the complainant and grabbed her while hurling insults at her.

North West NPA Regional Spokesperson Henry Mamothame said that Masetlo then instructed her to go with him to an unknown location where she subsequently attempted to escape but failed as she fell and injured herself. 

"He then took out a knife and threatened her to the point that she gave in and walked with him. The complainant only knew the accused as one of the gang members at the Ipelegeng location. Along the way, she saw people sitting outside in a yard and she managed to run and ask for help. He followed her and threatened some of the men who were reprimanding him. He subsequently assaulted the complainant and told the men that she was the mother of his children," said Mamothame.

Mamothame further said that Masetlo then took her to a house where he repeatedly raped her and only allowed her to leave in the morning after she promised to come back if he grants her permission to leave. 

"The matter was reported to the police and Masetlo was later arrested and denied bail. He pleaded not guilty to all charges," he said.

In aggravation of the sentence, the state prosecutor Mpho Sephapo argued that the complainant was 17 years of age and pregnant and urged the court not to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence of life imprisonment.

Sephapo further argued that the accused had an opportunity to leave when he was reprimanded at the house where the victim sought refuge. 

Magistrate Patricia Rangwako agreed with the state and remarked that women and children have a right to free movement without fearing for their lives. 

She further highlighted the important role that the court must play in protecting the most vulnerable members of society.