Three men of Letlhakane village have been sentenced to 15 years in prison for gang raping a woman in her 20s.
The incident occurred on August 1st, 2020 at Tawana ward.
The court heard that Andrew Gabautlwe, Emmanuel Oabona and Karabo Kopanngwe unlawfully had carnal knowledge of a woman in an abandoned house.
The rape survivor was on her way from the hospital when she met one man and confided in him bout her illness and he promised to assist her.
As they were walking they met another man who joined them.
The two then got in a one-roomed house that looked abandoned and inside they found yet another man.
When testifying in court, the complainant said the three men instructed her to sit on the bed. They then went outside and one man got inside the house saying he was healing her by performing exorcism.
” He came closer to me and removed my dress and as I tried to push him back, he overpowered me and said I should believe in God even if it means getting healing by having sexual intercourse with all of them.
“After he finished having sex with me another man, wielding a knife also got inside the house and told me to cooperate and not try to behave like a virgin. He then also raped me and after he finished one more man also raped me,” said the woman in her evidence.
She continued to tell the court that a forth man also came in and raped her and that all the four men took turns to violate her the whole night.
Before sentencing, Magistrate Atang Mantswe said the state had successfully proven that three of the four men jointly with common intent had sex with the complainant without her consent.
She further stated that rape incidents were prevalent in Letlhakane and that stern sentences have to be passed to send a strong message to those planning to commit the same offence.
The fourth accused person, Meshack Kenosi was acquitted and discharged from the offence.
