Rapist, 83, gets 50 years

2005-05-19 13:36

Riot Hlatshwayo

Tzaneen - An 83-year-old man has been jailed for 50 years for repeatedly raping a teenager and giving her money for sweets so that she wouldn't tell anyone.

David Makamu of Khujwana village near Tzaneen was sentenced in the Tzaneen regional court on Wednesday.

"We believe the sentence proves that no matter how old one is, one can still go to jail for many years for rape," said Ritavi police spokesperson Inspector Thomas Ndou on Thursday.

Makamu was sentenced to ten years for five different counts of rape and the sentences will not run concurrently.

He had lured the 14-year-old girl to his house every day between June 1 and June 5 last year and raped her every time.

"He bribed the girl to keep quiet by giving her a few cents to buy sweets," said Ndou.

Concerned neighbours alerted police, who caught Makamu in the act.

The girl's mother said the sentence will ensure other girls are safe from Makamu.

"Without this rubbish of an old man who preys on young children, our daughters will be safe," she said. "It is very good that the court has removed him from the society."

She thanked her neighbours for alerting the police.

- African Eye