The Phalaborwa Regional court has sentenced a 38 year-old Bangladesh national to life imprisonment for raping a minor victim (10) at Namakgale in May 2022.

TARGETTING CUSTOMER

SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the court heard that the victim was sent to the shops around 11:00am to buy household items by her grandmother.

"The victim found a 38 year-old shop owner who closed and locked the door when she was about to leave the premises after buying the items. The accused, Hossain Akiet, grabbed and forcefully walked the victim to a room situated at the back of the shop and raped the victim,"said Ledwaba.

Ledwaba said after the incident, the victim was released and when she returned home she informed her family about what happened and it was reported to the police. 

MANHUNT LAUNCHED

Ledwaba said a rape case was opened and an immediate manhunt of the suspect was launched and subsequently led to the Bangladesh national being apprehended the same day within the vicinity.

"The case was transferred to Phalaborwa Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit and assigned to Sergeant Sharlot Luphondo-Mkansi.  

Through her detective abilities, she left no stone unturned to ensure that the bail is opposed until his sentencing to life imprisonment without the option of fine,"said Ledwaba. The court further ordered that the accused particulars be recorded in the National Register of Sex Offenders.