MASERU — A 28-year-old Nazareth man “fell asleep and began snoring” after he raped a 52-year-old grandmother on Monday. While the man was dozing the woman sneaked out and alerted neighbours who effected a citizens’ arrest.
The man, Tumelo Leuna, was on Thursday sentenced to 10 years imprisonment without an option of a fine. The woman told the court that she knew the suspect as they lived in the same village. She added that the man was also employed by one of her relatives.
Her statement presented in court revealed that she and her grandson were sleeping when a man suddenly blocked her mouth with her hand. The intruder then grabbed her clothes, pulled her to him and as she struggled to free herself, the man choked her to prevent her from shouting for help. After a long struggle the man overpowered her, pulled off her underwear and threw it away.
“I asked him what he was doing and he replied he wanted (sic) my private parts,” the grandmother said in her statement.
When she requested that he use a condom, the man told her that he did not want to use one as he wanted to “impregnate her”. He then raped her while choking and twisting her neck, she said. She said she realised who the rapist was during their lengthy exchange. The rapist also told the woman that his wife had left him.
A neighbour ‘Mathube Mathole, corroborated the woman’s story. The man did not object to the facts outlined in court.
In mitigation he asked for a light sentence saying he did not waste the court’s time. “I ask for forgiveness,” he said.
Meanwhile, the court observed that the complainant is very depressed and shaken after the incident. Magistrate Thabang Mapetja presided over the case while Advocate Motsamai Shabangu represented the crown. — Lena
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