BETHLEHEM - The man accused of the kidnapping and rape of seven-year-old girl from Bohlokong near Bethlehem during February 2016, was finally sentenced to life imprisonment.

In February 2016, the seven-year-old girl was playing in the street at Bohlokong when the accused, Mzweni Maseko( 43) kidnapped and raped her.

After searching all over, her distraught mother went to report her missing at Bethlehem police. The next morning, her daughter arrived home after she was allegedly returned back by the accused who dropped her off in the street. She told her mother what happened and luckily she saw the suspect and pointed him out to her mother. The suspect fled to nearby farms outside Bethlehem but was caught and arrested. Whilst attending court, his case was provisionally withdrawn pending the outcome of a DNA test which finally came back positive. He was re-arrested and awaited trial for three years.

On Monday, 29 August 2022 the accused, Mzwane Maseko was found guilty on both counts of kidnapping and rape by Bethlehem Regional court and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

"The sexual violence against children can't be tolerated and the message is clear that any person who commits any offence of this nature will face might of law. The crimes against women and children remain priority in this country and let's protect and not abuse them. I want to thank the investigating officer on this matter, family and colleagues who might have played a rile role in in this case", said the Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Baile Motswenyane.

Source: South African Police Service