21 Apr 2021

A 24 year-old man  of Motlhala ward in Kanye has pleaded with Magistrate Daniel Nkau to be lenient when sentencing him.

Kabo Theetso has been convicted of rape.

Particulars of the offence were that the accused person had carnal knowledge of a woman without her consent on February 24, 2017 at or near Taming ward in Kanye. 

The prosecution, represented by Inspector Tlhabologo Bojosi, informed the court that the accused person had two previous convictions of robbery and rape which he was currently serving sentence for.

Theetso pleaded with court to be lenient saying his home environment influenced him to start drinking alcohol at a young age and later be involved in drugs. 

“In 2017, I met a man who came to drink at home and he told me that he was making a lot of money selling dagga. I agreed to partner with him to sell dagga because at the time my girlfriend was pregnant,” he said.

Furthermore, the accused person told court that after he was expelled from senior school in 2017, he got involved in alcohol and drug abuse, which influenced his current case before court. 

He insisted that he committed the crime while under the influence of alcohol and dagga and therefore he did not know what happened that particular day.

Theetso blamed youthfulness and peer pressure for his actions. 

He pleaded for a lesser sentence so that he could take care of his child.

“I have a child who was born in 2017 who needs my care since the mother is not working. I will like the child to grow up with a father’s love and guidance,” he said. 

Additionally, the accused person noted that even though prison was supposed to be a reforming institution, a long prison sentence was likely to turn convicts into hardened criminals.

The magistrate postponed the case to May 3 for the prosecution to establish if indeed the accused person was doing Form Five at the time of the incident. 

His remand was extended until next court appearance. ENDS