BLOEMFONTEIN – Police in the Free State welcomes the successful prosecution and sentencing of a 38-year-old man who was found guilty of rape of a minor, with assault to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH).
The accused, Lefu James Mofokeng, has been sentenced to life imprisonment and his name will also be entered into the register for sexual offenders.
On Tuesday, 8 April 2024 at approximately 11:00 the 11-year-old victim had absconded from an orphanage home and was walking in the street in Willows when she was offered a lift by the driver of a red Golf, who promised to take her to her parents’ house in Estoire.
Instead of taking the victim to her parents, the accused drove her to his residence in Wilgehof. Once inside, he gave the victim alcohol, pointed a firearm at her, and subjected her to a brutal assault. The accused strangled her and hit her in the face with the firearm before raping her.
Following the assault, the accused dropped the victim outside her parents’ house, giving her R53,20. The victim was crying and immediately reported the traumatic ordeal to her parents who immediately called the police. The case was immediately registered at Parkweg Police Station.
The case was swiftly transferred to the Parkweg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit. The investigation was handled by Detective Warrant Officer Arlene Snyman, who successfully traced and arrested the suspect. The accused’s licensed firearm was also seized during the arrest.
Serg. Mahlomola Kareli says the tireless efforts of the investigating officer, working in collaboration with Valerie Herholdt from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), ensured that Mofokeng was found guilty of the heinous crimes.
The SAPS encourages victims of sexual violence to report immediately to their nearest police station or call the toll-free Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or drop an anonymous tip-off on MySapsApp.
