25 Feb 2014

Kanye's Principal Magistrate Janet Phosa has sentenced a 23-year-old man to six years in jail for rape.

Onneile Ralenki of Taukobong Ward in Kanye will spend the next six years behind bars after being found guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl in 2011.

On March 27, 2011, at Matshidiso Lands near Motlhalaakgomo in the Southern District, Ralenki dragged the girl to a nearby bush where he unlawfully had carnal knowledge of her. He used a knife to intimidate the victim.

During mitigation, Ralenki pleaded with the court to be lenient with him because he was still young and had plans to continue with his studies through the back to school initiative. He said his intention was to encourage other young people to desist from crime.

Magistrate Phosa back dated the sentence to 2013, when the accused was first arrested. She said she had also considered the fact that the accused person was a first offender and still young. ENDS