Butterworth – A 52-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment at the Tsomo Regional Court for raping his seven-year-old niece, Eastern Cape police said on Thursday.
Captain Jackson Manatha said the man was sentenced on Wednesday.
The incident took place in September 2010 at Ngqamakhwe near Butterworth.
Manatha said the man, who was 47 years old at the time of the crime, called his young relative while she was playing with her friend outside.
“He then sent the victim to go and buy him a beer from the local tavern. When the girl came back, she was called into the room of the accused. The accused then closed the door and repeatedly raped his niece.
The rapist was seen by a local man who peeped through the window, as he heard the girl screaming.
“He then alerted community members about the rape… but he [the rapist ] ran away before community members could arrive at the crime scene,” Manatha said.
ANA