Triple life term for the murder and rape of a 4 years old toddler

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A 26 years old man from the North West has been sentenced to three life terms for the murder and rape of a 4 years old toddler.

Police Spokesperson in the province Colonel Adele Myburgh said the convicted Bafana Johannes Mans was apprehended at his residential place in Jan Kempdorp in the Northern Cape, after the lifeless and naked body of Tshimologo Lotshabeng was found in the bushes at Kgomotso village, near Taung on Sunday, 16 May 2021.

The Court heard that Mans was not a stranger as he was a colleague of Tshimologo’s mother. He was with the mother of the said unfortunate day on their way home from the tavern. Shortly after arriving the mother’s place of residence, he waited for her to fall asleep.

He then took the toddler and kidnapped her in the nearby bushes where he raped and killed her.

But it was not long until he was arrested and has been in police custody since the arrest in May 2021 after being denied bail.

In aggravation of sentence, Adv Xolisile Philisane urged the court not to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence as the offence was committed on a helpless minor. He further argued that the accused showed no remorse for his actions, as he failed to take a stand and apologise to the family of the deceased.

He was sentenced to triple life for double rape and murder plus 5 years for kidnapping.