Kid rape a new fashion? - judge

2005-08-10 18:37

Nkosana ka Makaula

Nelspruit - Two child rapists were handed life sentences in the Nelspruit circuit of Pretoria High Court on Wednesday.

Sonnyboy Mathe, 40, of Komatipoort in Mpumalanga raped an eight-year-old girl while her mother lay in a drunken sleep next to her on February 13 2004.

He was staying with the girl's mother and the girl slept in the same bed as the couple.

When her mother woke up the next morning, the child told her what had happened.

Her mother took her to a local clinic where the rape was confirmed.

"This court has handled more than five rape cases in the last 14 days. I do not know whether all you men are suffering from the same disease, or if it is just fashionable to sleep with minors," said Judge Roger Claasens.

He said he would be failing in his duty if he did not sentence Mathe to life in jail.

Showed no remorse for crime

In a separate case, Judge Claasens also jailed David Khoza, 26, for life for raping a nine-year-old girl on October 18 2004 at Msogwaba near Nelspruit.

Khoza insisted on his innocence, which angered the judge.

Judge Claasens noted that although Khoza was a first offender, he had showed no remorse for his crime.

"You choose not to be aware that the dignity of the victim has been violated.

"You are saying, in fact, all the evidence against you is fabricated. You will spend the rest of your life in jail," he said.

- African Eye