The Hopetown Regional Court has sentenced a 30-year-old man to 12 years imprisonment for raping a 40-year-old woman in April 2024 as she was walking home from a local tavern. This is after DNA linked him to the crime.
On April 27, 2024, the victim was attacked by a group of men while she was walking to her home. When she later regained consciousness in a tunnel, disoriented and in distress, Louw was found next to her.
According to the spokesperson of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Northern Cape, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, the victim realised that she had been raped and that her cellphone, lighter, and cigarettes had been stolen.
“Louw was positively linked to the crime through DNA evidence,” Senokoatsane added.
Before Louw was sentenced, the State prosecutor Nicola van Niekerk argued for a harsh sentence that reflects the seriousness of the offence. Niekerk pointed out that the accused showed no remorse and that the circumstances of the attack were horrific.
A Victim Impact Statement (VIS), prepared with the assistance of Court Preparation Officer Dineo Speak, outlined the severe emotional and psychological impact the crime had on the survivor.
The court noted the gravity of the offence and the long-term trauma inflicted on the victim. Louw remained in custody throughout the trial after his bail application was denied.
Senokoatsane said the NPA commends the work of the investigating officers, the prosecution team, and all those who contributed to securing justice in this case.
“The NPA reiterates its commitment to relentlessly prosecuting crimes of gender-based violence, particularly against women and children. These crimes infringe on the constitutional rights to dignity, security, and privacy, and the NPA will continue to act without fear, favour, or prejudice in ensuring justice is served,” said Senokoatsane.
