The police in the Northern Cape welcomes the prison sentence handed down on Orapeleng Ronald Nteu (23) for rape and robbery in the Hartswater Regional Court today.

On 20 August 2017, at about 04:00, the 44-year-old female victim was accosted by an unknown male while she was busy collecting wood in the veld in Pampierstad.

The accused wore a balaclava and threatened the victim with a knife. Orapeleng then raped the victim and robbed her of her cellphone.

The accused was linked to the crime through DNA and he was found guilty on both charges. Orapeleng Nteu received eight years for rape and 10 years for the robbery with aggravated circumstances.

The Acting Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection, Brig Nicky Mills commended Detective Sergeant Tokkie Van Rensburg from the Provincial SAPS Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation (SECI) unit for her meticulous investigative work that led to this outstanding sentence, especially as we are observing women's month.

Gender-based violence remains a priority crime for the SAPS in the Northern Cape.

Source: South African Police Service