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Life in jail for raping 6-year-old

POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED: Simon Rikhotso after being sentenced at the Johannesburg High Court for kidnapping and rape. PHOTO: BAFANA MAHLANGU
POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED: Simon Rikhotso after being sentenced at the Johannesburg High Court for kidnapping and rape. PHOTO: BAFANA MAHLANGU

A 28-YEAR-OLD Ekurhuleni rapist was sentenced to two life terms in prison by the Johannesburg High Court on Friday.

A 28-YEAR-OLD Ekurhuleni rapist was sentenced to two life terms in prison by the Johannesburg High Court on Friday.

Simon Rikhotso of Ivory Park was sentenced to life by Judge Kathy Satchwell for kidnapping and repeatedly raping a child last December. The child was aged six at the time.

The child was saved after Rikhotso's niece, Mpho, heard her desperate cries for help.

Satchwell said she shuddered to think what would have happened to the girl had she not been rescued. She said the child was left with serious psychological and physical scars as a result of the horrible rape.

"A registered nurse testified that the girl had suffered multiple tears and swelling to her private parts," she said.

The child's mother said her little girl was being treated in hospital.

"She goes to hospital regularly for checkups. What is important is that she gets better. Also, she will begin counselling at the Teddy Clinic on Thursday," she said.

Satchwell said she had been impressed by the girl's testimony.

"Her evidence was not contradictory. I was also impressed by her capacity for recollection. She was not making up stories, dreaming or fantasising. Why would she tell a lie and positively identify you?

"A girl that young cannot consent to sexual intercourse. You planned and intended the assault.

"You first took her into the veld where you raped her and after that you took her to your room," Satchwell said.

Rikhotso, who sat expressionlessly throughout his trial, was found guilty on all counts, including three of rape and one of kidnapping.

He was sentenced to two life terms for the crime.

Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the sentence. Spokeswoman Phindi Louw said: "We are happy with the sentence as it fits the crime. We hope this sentence will send a strong message to other would-be-rapists." - selebim@sowetan.co.za

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